“It is to never go down to the second team and play a full season without injury. If I set a bigger (goal), I want to digest more than 50 innings and raise more than 20 holds.”
Youngchan Yoo, a right-handed pitcher born in 1997 who has risen to the winning group of the LG Twins, delivered a bold goal.
Bae Myung-go and Konkuk University graduate Yoo Young-chan, who was nominated by LG at the end of the 2nd 5th round (total 43rd) in the 2020 rookie draft and started his professional life, joined the army early after working only in the Futures (2nd division) league that year. After being discharged last summer, he raised an average ERA of 4.50 with 1 loss and 3 holds in 12 Futures League games.
Then, at the beginning of this year, an opportunity came to Yoo Young-chan. It was the first time I accompanied the first team spring camp with the trust of coach Kyung-yeop Yeom and coach Heon-ho Kyung, who was pitching coach at the time.
Yoo Young-chan reciprocated this trust with a strong fight. He showed perfect pitches in practice games, as well as 4.2 innings in 5 demonstration games, raising an average ERA of 0.00 with 1 win and 1 hold. This performance has returned with a very sweet result of winning the opening entry.
Even after entering the regular league, Yoo Young-chan’s upward trend continued. Until the game on the 7th, his performance this season was 1 loss and 2 holds in 14 appearances (17.2 innings) with an earned run average of 3.06.
Yoo Young-chan, who met with reporters after team training after an away game against Doosan Bears scheduled to be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on the 6th was canceled due to rain, said, “I am grateful to be able to do an interview. This is all a situation that came about because director (Yeom Kyung-yeop) gave me a chance and I was able to live up to his expectations. It’s so good.” He smiled brightly.
Then, he said, “I didn’t expect it. I think I came this far because I showed a good figure from the spring camp and the demonstration game.” (Recently) I feel good because I can throw well even in good situations.”
Life in the first team was not always smooth. On the 16th of last month, against Doosan in Jamsil, he was shaken with 0 innings, 1 hit, 3 walks and 3 runs. Then, on April 20, against the NC Dinos in Jamsil, he stagnated with 3 hits and 2 runs in 1 inning, and on the 28th of that month, against the KIA Tigers in Gwangju, he suffered the first defeat in his personal career with 0.2 innings, 2 hits, 1 run and 1 run.
Yoo Young-chan said, “I went to games often in April. He went out in tight situations and in situations where there was a lot of difference (scoring). I was nervous at first, but when I compared how I was in the close match and how it was when there was a big difference in (score), I relaxed and threw when there was a big difference in (score). (Compared to this), in a close combat situation, a lot of strength was put into the body,” he confessed.
He said, “Recently, when he went to the game, he threw with strength and confidence. I believe catcher (Park) Dong-won gave the lead and threw it, so I think good results came out,” he explained about the secret of propaganda.
In particular, Yoo Young-chan’s performance stood out in two consecutive away matches against NC (the match was canceled in the rain on the 4th) at Changwon NC Park on the 2nd and 3rd. Lee Jeong-yong and Jung Woo-young, the former victory group pitchers, took advantage of the break given their hunting difficulties, recording a total of 2.1 scoreless innings in two games and harvesting holds for two days in a row.
One of the big reasons for Yoo Young-chan’s performance is the rise in redemption. His average speed of fastball, which was averaging in the early 130-140 km range before enlisting in the military, has dramatically increased this season. Yoo Young-chan’s average fastball velocity this year is 147.2 km, and his highest velocity is close to 150 km.
He said, “After the spring camp this time, I played an exhibition game, so I took the maximum (speed) up to 150 km.” “I did a lot of lower body training with the coach at the camp. I think I got better naturally after doing various exercises such as ground and pressing exercises.”
The advice given by seniors becomes the bones and flesh of Yoo Young-chan. “I try to rest when I can,” he said. He also focuses on strengthening exercises. I try to rest well when I can rest,” he said. “All the seniors said a lot, ‘You have to eat well and sleep a lot’.”
In addition, Lim Chan-gyu’s advice is said to have been a great help to him. Yoo Young-chan said, “(Lim) Chan-gyu hyung always said, ‘Think ahead of things that haven’t happened and don’t worry. Just focus on getting on the mound and throwing the ball. Don’t think about anything, don’t notice, and throw it’” he expressed his gratitude.안전놀이터
Youngchan Yoo’s appearance song is Sherlock of the male group SHINee. This is because his wife is an avid SHINee fan. He said, “There was a coercive aspect (in deciding the song to appear)… He said, “I have a lot of trouble always supporting you. (I) go to late hours and sleep late, so thank you for taking care of me. I love you,” she confessed her sincere confession to her wife.
Lastly, Yoo Young-chan said about his goal this season, “My goal is to never go down to the 2nd team and play for a full season without injury.” I want to raise more than that,” he gave strength.