“It’s fun”. “The math is there”.
Which pitcher is the most comfortable for a catcher? A pitcher who is comfortable with the ball and makes the lead fun. In other words, a pitcher who delivers the exact type of pitch you want, on the exact course you want. That’s exactly what Yoon Young-chul, a 19-year-old rookie for the KIA Tigers, is.
Shin Beom-soo, 25, who has recently emerged as KIA’s starting catcher, had his first regular-season start with Yoon on May 24 against Daejeon Hanwha. He pitched six innings, allowing one run on three hits (one home run) with three walks and three strikeouts. He didn’t get the win, but the team won.
On May 31, he got the ball again against the Gwangju KT. He pitched 5⅓ innings, allowing one run on three hits (one home run) with two walks and two strikeouts. He would have gotten a quality start if he hadn’t been hit on the back of the left foot by a pitch. His defense faltered in the first inning and he threw 28 pitches before settling down for the rest of the game. This time, the bats came alive and the team cruised to a third win.
Yoon’s best attribute is his reliability. His fastball tops out at 140 mph and averages 137 mph, but it has good deception and a surprisingly strong tip. The same goes for his slider’s angle and course. His primary changeup also drops in front of hitters. His command is among the best in the league, utilizing a wide range of pitches up, down, left and right.
The ability to deliver an accurate delivery to a mitt with a catcher waiting with open arms is something not everyone can do. Add to that the fact that he throws comfortably on the mound without shaking. He has been described as a ‘fast bowler’. He is expected to become an impregnable starting pitcher if he speeds up in the future.메이저놀이터
That’s why he enjoys working with the catcher. “He is a pitcher who throws accurately on the course. Even if the ball is not fast, it is not hard to hit. He’s a great pitcher because he has a good delivery and a lot of pitches he can throw. He’s very comfortable receiving the ball and taking advantage of the count. He’s fun to watch.”
Coach Kim Jong-kook echoed the praise. “He’s a very calculated pitcher. “If you look at his recent pitches, you can see the math. He’s pitching well to prepare the guys behind him. (I got hit in the back of the foot), I just need to make adjustments for a couple days. He’ll be fine for the next rotation,” he said to applause.