'Single A Demolished': ERA 2.08, WHIP 0.69 — Watch Out for Jang Hyun-seok, the Dodgers' Rising Star

*This content was translated by AI.

Jang Hyun-seok (22), who has been highly anticipated as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is preparing to take off with dominant pitching.

On the 29th (Korea time), Jang made his second appearance of the game at ONT Field in Ontario, California, against the Lake Elsinore Storm in a Single A home game. Following Blake Snell, he pitched four innings, allowing two hits, one walk, striking out five batters, and giving up one earned run.

In his third start of the season, Jang delivered another strong performance. Although he left the game with a 2-1 lead, his team eventually surrendered a go-ahead run, so he did not secure the win. However, he continued to post an impressive ERA of 2.08.

Jang began his minor league career in 2024, struggling with an ERA of 6.14 in his first season. While his batting average against was an impressive 0.163, making it difficult for league batters to easily attack him, excessive walks were a major issue.

Last season, he recorded two losses and an ERA of 4.65 in 13 games. Although this was an improvement over his first season, he still left a sense of regret by failing to resolve his control issues.

This season, he is clearly showing a different side. In his first game on the 17th, he started and allowed two home runs but held the score to two earned runs over five innings. On the 23rd, he followed Blake Snell, the winner of the Cy Young Award in both leagues who is currently rehabbing from injury, and pitched four innings, allowing three hits, striking out four batters, and giving up one unearned run.

On this day as well, Jang entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning after Snell held the line scoreless for three innings. Jang retired the first batter with a fly out to right field, then struck out third batter Truitt Madonna with a swinging strikeout, cleanly completing the inning.

Jang re-entered the game in the bottom of the fifth inning with a 1-0 lead. Despite allowing a double to center field, he efficiently retired three batters to complete the inning. In the bottom of the sixth, he allowed a double to right field before striking out Ryan Wideman. At that moment, he allowed a stolen base at third base, which became the root of the problem. He later surrendered a home steal, resulting in a regretful earned run.

After issuing a walk and committing consecutive balks, he found himself in a crisis with one out and runners on third base. However, he retired the next batter with a swinging strikeout and then a fly out to center field, finishing his pitching without allowing any additional runs.

It is encouraging that his pitching was aggressive, with 44 of his 60 pitches being strikes. This is a clear indication of his performance this season.

Although the sample size is still small, Jang has been active in three games this season, pitching 13 innings without a win or loss, and posting an ERA of 2.08. His batting average against is 0.152, and his walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP) is an outstanding 0.69, showcasing the qualities of an elite pitcher. He has recorded 12 strikeouts, while walks are limited to just two.

If he continues this level of performance, he is expected to be called up to a higher league soon.

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*This content was translated by AI.