On the 8th, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, 1 inning, 1 home run, 1 run
Reporter Kim Joo-hee = Yang Hyun-jong (33, Texas Rangers), who made his debut in the US major league demonstration game, expressed his feelings, “It was more exciting than tension.”
On the 8th (Korean time), Yang Hyun-jong scored 1 strikeout and 1 run in 1 inning, 2 hits (1 home run), 1 strikeout and 1 run against the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Surprise Stadium in Arizona, USA.
Yang Hyeon-jong, who reached the mound in the 8th inning, quickly caught two outcounts, but was hit by the ball thrown at DJ Peters, allowing solo guns. It was also hit by James Outman, but finished the inning without additional runs.
In the match that lasted up to the eighth inning, Texas won 4-3, and Yang Hyeon-jong harvested a save.
In a video interview after the game, Yang Hyun-jong looked back at his first appearance, saying, “It was more exciting than tension. The batter stood at the plate, and there was a crowd, so I threw it fun.”
Regarding pitching, he said, “It’s not 100% yet, but it’s gradually improving little by little. It’s a positive part of the improvement.” Said.
“You have to compete well with the players. I will try to show a good figure accordingly,” he added.
Yang Hyeon-jong’s number of pitches is 21. However, the overall change was not good.
Yang Hyun-jong pointed out the regrettable part, saying, “The change ball went high overall. The change ball was not good because the straight ball did not have a good balance.”
He is scheduled to check his physical condition with the coaching staff on the 9th and make plans for a start afterwards.
He played an ace role in the KBO League KIA Tigers until last year, and he signed a split contract with Texas last month.
Choosing to challenge instead of stability, he is facing new changes, such as going to bullpen unlike in Korea.
Yang Hyun-jong emphasized, “There is definitely a downside to relaxing than the starter, but the pitching coach told me to prepare according to the routine comfortably before the game,” and emphasized, “There was a problem with the balance, but there was no problem with the preparation process.”
Regarding the difference between the starter and the bullpen, he said, “I don’t want to make excuses for that part in the case of today.”
The will to fulfill the role given to him was revealed.
Yang Hyeon-jong, whose salary varies depending on the major and minor league affiliations, must demonstrate his skills in this demonstration game to enter the big leagues. Less than three weeks left until the start of the regular season.
Yang Hyun-jong expected, “If you give a lot of personal time, you will be able to show a better appearance in the next game if you think about what you are lacking while watching the video through analysis of your shortcomings, points to supplement, and power analysis.”
If you overcome this competition, you will be one step closer to your real dream of being a’major leaguer’.
“The biggest goal is to throw in the major leagues. I think it’s still an important process. It’s a demonstration game, but you have to show a good figure here to challenge the bigger stage.”
Copyright ©’Korea Press News Hub’ Newsis Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited