'Why can't you throw it inside the square?' In the bitter era of 'just throw it,' Ryu Hyun-jin's lesson

*This content was translated by AI.

'Just throw it inside the square.'

This is a phrase often heard at baseball stadiums. As walks pour in, fans frequently tell pitchers this. However, in this season's KBO League, walks are being issued in greater numbers than ever before.

Of the 720th games played, 162 have been completed so far, with 1,316 walks recorded. The average walks per game stands at 8.12, the highest level in the past five seasons. It is also the highest since the league expanded to a 10-team format in 2015. Compared to last year's 7.12 walks per game, there is an average of one additional walk per game. The high number of walks is also a major culprit in prolonging game time, contradicting the KBO League's pursuit of 'speed-up.'

A manager of a professional baseball club A expressed bitterness, saying, "It seems like it's so hard to get one out. All teams' players are issuing walks now. I don't know when baseball became like this. The pitcher who doesn't give up walks is the best at playing baseball."

So, why are so many walks being issued all of a sudden?

Analysis can be made from various angles. First, the reason can be found in the shortened pitch clock. The pitch clock, officially introduced in the second half of 2025, reduced the interval between pitches by two seconds compared to the current standard ahead of this season. It changed to 18 seconds when there are no runners and 23 seconds when there are runners.

It seems that pitchers lack sufficient time on the mound to follow their own routines as before, which can lead to a decline in pitching stability. Of course, if this is the cause, it is expected that pitchers will adapt and gradually stabilize over time.

Another factor is the change brought about by the introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system. The importance of catcher framing has significantly decreased compared to the past, and even if a pitch is outside the zone, it will be called a strike as long as it passes through the 'virtual square.' In particular, pitchers who effectively utilize the vertical width of the zone are said to benefit from this.

Ironically, as this situation repeats, pitchers who previously tried to actively target the edges of the zone to check the umpire's strike zone have disappeared. Instead, pitchers are increasingly relying on high fastballs that aim for the top of the zone, even if they throw fast or slightly wide left and right. Analysts suggest this is another reason why pitchers are paying less attention to control than before.

Another important reason is the passive game management by pitchers. Many pitchers have weaknesses in their control, so they cannot boldly engage in battles for fear of being crowded in the middle. They tend to flee even in favorable counts, making their own situations more difficult.

As more pitchers face difficulties in control for various reasons, the psychological pressure on them has increased.

Recently, Lee Dae-eun said on a YouTube channel, "Most pitchers can throw inside the square (strike zone) even without a batter. Since they must throw so that the batter cannot hit, they seem to stray from the zone due to that psychological pressure."

Shin Jae-young, whose outstanding control was his strength, showed a self-deprecating reaction: "Even if a batter is in the box, I could put in 20 more if there were 20. But because I gave up a home run, I can't go in."

However, to ultimately solve the problem, pitchers must confront it directly. Another manager, B, pointed out the reason why capable pitchers are struggling: "The pitches they throw to avoid the zone are too obvious. There are pitches thrown as if they are fleeing in an unbelievable way." The point is that pitches thrown to lure batters while holding a favorable count are clearly visible as balls. This is a point previously noted by many baseball experts.

Of course, it is not easy, but they must confront the issue and find a solution by adopting aggressive pitching against batters. Manager B said, "In doing so, you will eventually be chased and forced to throw strikes. On the other hand, when the count is unfavorable, batters prepare defensively and make countermeasures." He added, "Of course, what the staff says is easy, but the pitcher must have confidence. Even if they are told to throw confidently, if they get hit hard, they flee again."

The answer can be found in the words of the living legend, Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles). Ryu Hyun-jin is a pitcher who dislikes issuing walks more than anyone else and plays aggressively. While he has recorded 32 strikeouts this season, he has issued only 5 walks. His walks per 9 innings stand at 1.25, ranking second in the league behind Ariel Jurado (Samsung, 1.20).

On the 14th last month, when Hanwha pitchers allowed a record 18 walks in a single team in KBO history, setting an ignominious record, Ryu Hyun-jin demonstrated a model performance on the 18th against Lotte Giants with a scoreless 7-inning, no-walk outing. On the 6th, he also secured his 120th career win in the KBO with a strong 6-inning, 1-walk, 1-run performance against KIA Tigers. In particular, Hanwha allowed 450 walks last year, ranking second lowest in the league, but has already given up 162 walks this season, leading the league overwhelmingly and holding a significant share of the KBO League's walk increase. The average walks per game jumped to 5.06, up from 3.12 last year.

After the game on the 6th, Ryu Hyun-jin left practical advice for his juniors. He emphasized, "I always tell them to throw confidently. They should not be afraid of getting hit. Pitching is a job where you get hit." He continued, "That is why I keep telling them to throw more inside the square (strike zone)." This is a lesson that pitchers who recklessly issue walks and lower the league's standard should take to heart.

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*This content was translated by AI.