'Pitching Expert' Lee Kang-cheol also praised him highly: "An Woo-jin has gotten even better → The only pitcher who throws 160 km/h and controls his pitches perfectly"

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes' ace An Woo-jin (27) is scheduled to take the mound at KT Wiz Park on the 18th, as previously announced. After successfully returning to the mound for the first time in 955 days in a game against the Lotte Giants at Gocheok Dome on the 12th, An Woo-jin is preparing for his second start of the season on the 18th in the form of a more refined "complete package." In response, Lee Kang-cheol (60), the KT Wiz manager who is regarded as a "pitching expert," offered high praise along with his thoughts on facing An Woo-jin.

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Kiwoom Heroes game on the 17th, Manager Lee Kang-cheol said of An Woo-jin, who is scheduled to start on the 18th, "He's a good pitcher. (After seeing his return game) He seems to have been upgraded. He has gotten even better. In fact, there is no other pitcher in Korea who throws a ball close to 160 km/h and has such good control," he said, sparing no praise. He highly evaluated An Woo-jin's complete command, noting that he can not only throw fast pitches but also secure strikes with breaking balls even in unfavorable counts.

He also emphasized that control is the foundation of pitching. Manager Lee Kang-cheol stated, "If a pitcher has good control, even if the ball isn't fast, it's powerful. If a pitcher can place breaking balls in and out of the strike zone, batters find it difficult to hit, but it's also very difficult for pitchers. In fact, when the ball count is unfavorable, pitchers must throw fastballs without exception. Now, even Korean batters will just swing at pitches in the mid-150 km/h range. Ultimately, in unfavorable counts, pitchers must secure strikes with breaking balls rather than fastballs," he stressed.

This was ultimately high praise for An Woo-jin. He said it was possible. Still, in the 2023 season, which was An Woo-jin's final full season, KT faced An Woo-jin four times and recorded two wins and two losses. Manager Lee Kang-cheol, who remembered this record precisely, recalled, "Still, our team did not do poorly against An Woo-jin. Both our batters and our pitchers held up well. There were even a few times when we tightened up and seized the game."

An Woo-jin, who made his return appearance on the 12th, had no issues with his shoulder or elbow, but concerns were raised about blisters on his fingers. However, there were no major problems. Kiwoom Heroes manager Seol Jong-jin (53) stated ahead of the KT game on the 17th, "We were a bit worried about the blisters, but after checking, there was no major obstacle to his start on the 18th," officially confirming An Woo-jin's scheduled start on the 18th.

However, as this is still a "build-up" phase for a complete return, the number of pitches will be carefully managed. Manager Seol announced, "We plan to have him pitch two innings in the game on the 18th, and we are considering around 35 to 40 pitches at most." He added, "Regardless of whether he completes two innings, if the predetermined number of pitches is reached, he will be replaced immediately."

As An Woo-jin is scheduled to pitch a short number of innings, Kiwoom plans to employ a "1+1" strategy, similar to the previous game against Lotte, by placing right-hander Bae Dong-hyun behind him. In particular, there was a strategic rationale for placing Bae Dong-hyun after An Woo-jin. Manager Seol offered the analysis, "It seems that having Bae Dong-hyun, who can disrupt batters' timing, follow An Woo-jin, who throws fastballs, will be beneficial for the team in the long run."

Fans' attention is focused on what kind of synergy the combination of An Woo-jin's overwhelming pitching ability, highly praised by "pitching expert" Manager Lee Kang-cheol, and Bae Dong-hyun's ability to disrupt batters' timing will produce on the Suwon mound on the 18th.

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*This content was translated by AI.