‘Korean Express’ special map effect, Jang Jae-young who caught two rabbits

“At times like this, I write ‘Friend Chance’.” 

Kiwoom Heroes coach Hong Won-ki (50) thanked his “friend” Park Chan-ho (50) for guiding the team’s pitchers as an “unofficial” instructor. Kiwoom’s “future ace” Jang Jae-young (21) learned pitching skills and mental management know-how from Park Chan-ho. 

The Kiwoom team returned home on the 5th (Korean time) after finishing the spring camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA from the 1st of last month. Coach Hong Won-ki said, “It seems that the individual goals set ahead of the camp were faithfully carried out. It seems that fielders Park Joo-hong and Lim Byeong-wook, and pitchers Jang Jae-young and Byun Si-won have grown toxically. I heard,” he said. 

It is encouraging that Jang Jae-young, a ‘top prospect’, gave the green light to enter the starting lineup. He showed a more stable pitch than before in the Australian Professional Baseball League, which he participated in from November to December last year. In this spring camp, he pitched in a simulation game against the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB) and an evaluation match against the Dutch World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team, recording one inning scoreless in each. It is evaluated that the pitching content was better than the record.  

Jang Jae-young was a top-notch prospect nominated for the 2021 first rookie draft. His potential was recognized enough to receive 900 million won, the second largest ever, for his down payment. However, he fell short of expectations, posting an average earned run average of 8.53 without a win over the past two seasons (2021-2022). He can throw a fast ball at 150 km / h in the middle and late, but his control is not good. 

Jang Jae-young showed a ‘zero point’ in this camp. The speed limit was taken at the beginning of 150km/h, but there were not many balls that escaped the strike zone. It is evaluated that the mentality has also matured. He looks set to get a spot on the starting lineup for the upcoming season (2023). 

It was thanks to the guidance of ‘Korean Express’ Park Chan-ho that Jae-young Jang made a leap forward. Park Chan-ho visited the Kiwoom camp on the 14th and 15th of last month, watched the pitchers pitching in the bullpen, and then went to individual guidance. There was a request from director Kiwoom Hong Won-ki, a classmate of high school (Gongju High School).  메이저놀이터

Park Chan-ho pointed out that Jae-young Jang’s head shakes when he pitches. It was that he was trying to put too much effort into it. He emphasized that even if you throw a ball that is slower than the maximum speed, it is most important to spray it to the desired location. To Jang Jae-young, who was sluggish with an on-base percentage of 0.500 in the scoring crisis in the last two seasons (2021-2022), “Any pitcher gets nervous when he is in danger of giving up points. Acknowledge that, and find a way to control the tension just a little bit. You have to find it,” he advised. 

Jang Jae-young said, “I met senior Park Chan-ho for the first time during overseas training in high school. After that, we occasionally exchanged text messages and asked for advice. After our professional debut, we met at this camp, and he definitely gave us more strict and objective evaluations than before. Thank you very much for visiting and talking a lot about technology and mentality.” 

Director Hong Won-ki led overseas training for the first time after taking office. Park Chan-ho is busy with various things, such as WBC TV commentator and San Diego Padres club special advisor, but he made time for his friends and juniors. Coach Hong Won-ki also laughed, saying, “Park Chan-ho visited the stadium during the Korean Series (KS) last season and gave good energy to the players.