*This content was translated by AI.
KT Wiz's "finishing pitcher" and national bullpen pitcher Park Young-hyun (23) spoke about the controversy over the decrease in his arrest that followed him throughout the tournament. There was no problem with his physical condition at all, and he rather blamed himself for not preparing properly. He shared his thoughts on the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) schedule in Tokyo, Japan, and Miami, USA.
Park Young-hyun took the mound as the third pitcher in the 2026 WBC quarterfinals against the Dominican Republic at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida on the 14th (Korea time) and ended the game unfortunately with two hits, one strikeout and two runs in ⅓ innings. The Korean national team also ended the tournament's schedule by kneeling down with cold games in the 0-10 and 7th inning.
Park Young-hyun faced three batters on the day. Park Young-hyun, who took the mound following Noh Kyung-eun in the bottom of the third inning, faced a crisis by giving a left-handed hit to leadoff hitter Manny Machado and dedicating a heavy hit to Junior Caminero. Here, Julio Rodriguez struck out and handed over the mound to Kwak Bin. However, Kwak Bin brought both Park Young-hyun's runners home, and Park Young-hyun's earned run increased to two points.
Park Young-hyun, who was interviewed after the game, said, "I didn't feel any pressure," about the world's best hitters he faced on the day. "I threw it without fear, and when I struck out, I was comforted that I caught hitters I would never meet again." At the same time, he added, "There is a regret that I wish I had prepared better."
In fact, Park Young-hyun's decreased restraint at this WBC continued to raise concerns. According to baseball statistics website baseball servant pitching tracking data run by Major League Baseball, Park's average speed at fastball (based on four points) was only 90.5 miles per hour (about 145.6 kilometers). The maximum speed remained at 92.1 miles (about 148 kilometers). Park Young-hyun's average speed was in the late 140km range, which was lower than the fastest speed of the ball.
In response, Park Young-hyun reassured the reporters, saying, "It's not a sensitive question," and added, "It's definitely not an injury. I was personally angry that my physical condition was only this bad, and I wondered if I had made a mistake in preparation," he confessed honestly.
Park Young-hyun then said, "But what's gone by is just the past. I'm a pitcher who gets better the more I throw. Rather than trying to force up the speed, I tried to accept the present and think about how to cook the batter," he said, looking back on the competition.
Park Young-hyun, who finished the long journey from Tokyo to Miami, Japan, emphasized his bond with his teammates, saying, "The team atmosphere itself seems to have come all the way to Miami." He also stressed that he was "honored to play in a new and good stadium" in Miami, where he reached the second round of the WBC for the first time in 17 years.
Finally, Park Young-hyun said, "There is definitely something I am disappointed about this tournament's less restraint. But even though I threw it with all my might, I accept it because it's this much. Using this experience as a springboard, I will return to my team and show a stronger appearance," he promised.
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*This content was translated by AI.
