St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Kim Kwang-hyun is doing a video interview with a local reporter after appearing in a major league demonstration held at Jupiter Rogerdin Stadium in Florida, USA on the 4th. St. Louis Cardinals pressbox video interview capture
“It wasn’t enough”
Kim Gwang-hyun (33, St. Louis), who is in her second year in the major leagues, revealed her feelings of completing her first demonstration game in 2021.
On the 4th (Korean time), Kim Kwang-hyun started at the home game against the New York Mets held at Jupiter Rogerdin Stadium in Florida, USA, and was sluggish with 4 hits and 4 runs (3 ERA) in 0.2 innings. A special rule introduced by the Secretariat of the Major Leagues in this year’s demonstration game (when the number of pitchers on the mound exceeds 20 pitches, innings can be finished or replaced even before 3 outs), Kim Gwang-hyun only counts one out per time. After catching it, I grated it, and then I started again twice. In the first, he threw 27 pitches and the second in 11 pitches. It is interpreted that St. Louis coach Mike Silt is interested in putting Kim Kwang-hyun on the mound twice as much as the team’s main pitcher.
Kim Kwang-hyun struck out both of the out counts, but gave two walks and struggled with the game. The highest fastball speed was only 144 km. In a video interview with local media after the game, Kim Gwang-Hyun said, “The title was shaken, and there was no arrest. Overall, it was not enough.”
He said, “It wasn’t right in the first inning, so I wanted to get a balance in the second appearance, but it didn’t work out,” he said. “There is about a month left until the start of the regular season (April 2). I will try to get my good shape back.” Regarding restraint, “I am not satisfied, but I am not stressed. I am in good shape,” he said.
“I just played the first game,” said Silt. “I haven’t played many games, so I don’t have to react sensitively.” Then, he positively evaluated, “I got a little better in the second episode than in the first episode.”
Kim Gwang-hyun is wiping his sweat with a confused expression in the demonstration game on the 4th. Florida = AP Yonhap News.
Kim Gwang-hyun played a demonstration game last year, during the rookie season, when his position was not confirmed. However, this year, it is expected to start with a third starter following Jack Flaherty and Adam Wainwright. He said, “The attitude is not different from last year,” he said. “The demonstration game is the process of preparing for the regular season. We are increasing our innings.” He said, “If the verse collapses, the same results will come out today. Watching Wainwright’s pitching yesterday (two innings, no hits, no loss), I was admired. I will see and learn.”
Kim Kwang-hyun signed a contract with St.Louis for a two-year warranty of $8 million in 2020. At the end of this season, he becomes a free agent again. Last year, he made a soft landing in the big leagues, struggling with an average ERA of 3 wins and 1 save of 1.62. “I know this year is an important season,” he said. In the regular season, it will look different from today.
Meanwhile, Hyeon-jong Yang (33, Texas), who is an invited player, also gave live pitching (training to throw a batter standing up) after joining Spring Camp. Yang Hyun-jong joined the Texas Spring Camp on the 24th of last month and finished preparing for the actual battle, including two bullpen pitching and live pitching on the day. Ryu Hyun-jin (34, Toronto) is scheduled to make his first start in the demonstration game against Baltimore held at TD Ball Park in Dunedin, Florida on the 6th. The Baltimore starter was Matt Harvey, 32, from 2013 All-Star.
Kang Joo-hyung reporter [email protected]
News directly edited by the Hankook Ilbo can also be viewed on Naver.
