I seized my chance at the edge of a cliff. The hope that started from one stem is gradually growing. Pro baseball KT right-hander Cho Yi-hyeon (28) said, “I am grateful just to be able to throw the ball again. I really want to do well this year,” he said, raising his voice.
He debuted at Hanwha in 2014. After the end of the 2015 season, he wore a SK (now SSG) uniform as a free agent (FA) compensation player for Jung Woo-ram. He played as an intermediate relief pitcher and substitute starter until 2021 after completing his service with Sangmu Baseball Team. His elbow was in poor shape last season. He was never called up to the first team on any occasion. He pitched in 24⅓ innings in 18 games (3 starting games) in the 2nd team Futures League and struggled with an average ERA of 9.99 with 3 wins, 4 losses and 1 hold. Eventually, in October of last year, he was released from SSG.
Found a new nest in about a month. He joined KT. Last month, he accompanied the first team to Tucson spring camp in Arizona, USA, and built up his body. Jo Yi-hyun said, “Everyone did a good job. Thanks to that, he got used to it quickly. We became friends throughout,” he smiled.
Preparation for the season is also going smoothly. On the 13th, on the first day of the demonstration game, he started as a starting pitcher before Kiwoom. He contributed to a 2-1 victory with 3 hits, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts and 1 run in 3 innings. His pitch count was 40 (29 strikes). He checked his two- and four-seam fastballs, forkballs, sliders, and curveballs.
Cho Yi-hyun said,안전놀이터 “It’s been a while since I got on the mound for the first team and pitched. He was excited and fun rather than nervous,” he said. “Compared to last year, his arm condition is really good. It is still in the process of checking, but compared to the spring camp practice game, I feel better on the mound.”
His fastball velocity did not rise. By 2021, it recorded an average speed of 141 km/h. On the 13th, before Kiwoom, the maximum speed was 140 km. Cho Yi-hyun said, “I’ve been working hard since the camp, but my speed doesn’t improve as much as I thought. It seems a bit difficult,” he said. “Instead, I am focusing on my control. Jegu is doing what he wants. I think of it as an advantage,” he said.
There are about two weeks left until the start of the regular season. Cho Yi-hyun said, “I want to be able to run healthy without getting sick for a ye