Kim Gwang-hyun, who appeared twice in one game… Director is infinite trust

“I don’t get stressed. I am in very good shape.”

Major League Baseball (MLB) St. Louis Cardinals Kim Gwang-hyun (33) accepted disappointing results in their first demonstration game this year. On the 4th (Korean time), he scored 4 hits, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts, and 4 runs against the New York Mets in 2/3 innings. The highest fastball speed was 144 km/h.

If it was last season ahead of the MLB debut, it could have been one step behind in the starting competition. The situation is different this year. Kwang-Hyun Kim established early as a third starter following Jack Flaherty and Adam Wainwright.

In a video interview with local reporters after the game, Kim Gwang-hyun said, “The demonstration game is the process of preparing for the regular season. There was a problem with the verse and redemption, but a homework was created that needed to be grasped. I will try to regain a good figure by gradually increasing innings.”

Kim Gwang-hyun climbed the mound in a somewhat uncomfortable situation. The start of the game was delayed due to rain at Rogerdin Stadium. The rain-soaked mound was not good either. The first batter hit the top of the left outfield fence with a triple. One company, 1st and 2nd base and 1st and 3rd base, allowed timely hits in succession. At this time, Kim Gwang-hyun was judged once and then re-appeared. St. Louis coach Mike Silt, who replaced Kim Gwang-hyun in the first inning, put Kim Gwang-hyun on the mound in the second inning.

The MLB Secretariat said a special provision in advance of this demonstration game that,’Only for games held before March 14, if a pitcher on the mound throws more than 20 balls, the innings can be finished or replaced even before three (3) outs.’ Introduced. Director Silt used this rule for Kim Gwang-hyun, who has already taken a spot in the selection. It was considered to be able to cut off the difficult flow of the first one and fill the planned number of pitches (around 35 or so) again in the absence of runners in the second round. The Happening, which is closer to’shift’ than’replacement’, is an example of Kim Gwang-hyun’s position in the team once again.

Kim Gwang-hyun threw the 39th ball while walking Kevin Pilar after one shot in the second inning. The coach ordered the second replacement to announce that the first real homework was finished. Kim Gwang-hyun said, “The verse was shaken, and the restraint did not come out well. The pitch of the 1st pitch wasn’t right, so when I went back to the 2nd, I tried to get the balance, but it didn’t work.” “I will analyze it again while watching the video video. I know this year is a really important season. When the regular season begins, it will look different from now.”

Director Silt also said, “Kim Kwang-hyun is now in the stage of adapting. It was just the first game. There is still a lot of games left, so there is no need to overreact to your first appearance.” In addition, “Kim Gwang-hyun was very active in the beginning of last season. It is similar to Wainwright (team pitcher) in many ways. He threw a better ball in the second than in the first, and I was happy to see Kim Gwang-hyun improving.”

Following Kim Kwang-hyun, Toronto Blue Jays ace, Ryu Hyun-jin (34), also finished preparing for the demonstration match. On the 4th, reporter Rob Longley, Toronto Sun, announced on Twitter that “Ryu Hyun-jin will start in the demonstration game on the 6th.” Ryu Hyun-jin’s first real opponent was the Baltimore Orioles. All-star pitcher Matt Harvey appears as the opponent’s starting pitcher.

Toronto, with a weak mound, recruited relief pitcher Kirby Yeats to reinforce the back door. However, except for the ace, there are still question marks on the starting line. Ryu Hyun-jin is preparing for the first full-time season after the transfer with heavy responsibility and high expectations. The demonstration game on the 6th, the first real match this year, is a signal.

Reporter Bae Youngeun [email protected]