Still no call-up to the MLB! 'Top speed 152km/h' Go Woo-seok delivers another perfect two-inning performance → ERA 2.10, glimpse of the big leagues

*This content was translated by AI.

Go Woo-seok (28, Toledo Mud Hens), who is challenging the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB), once again demonstrated his overpowering pitching with a dominant performance.

On the 4th (Korean time), Go made his third appearance of the game as the visiting Iowa Cubs played against the Toledo Mud Hens at Principal Park in Des Moines, Iowa, in a Triple-A regular-season matchup. He pitched two perfect innings, allowing only three strikeouts, leading Toledo to a 10-2 victory.

This marks Go's second perfect two-inning performance of the season in Triple-A. Last month on the 18th, he recorded a two-inning, three-strikeout perfect game against the Omaha Storm Chasers. Toledo is the Triple-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, Iowa is the affiliate of the Chicago Cubs, and Omaha is the affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

Go once again delivered a flawless performance. Entering the game in the bottom of the sixth inning with Toledo leading 4-0, Go immediately threw his fastest pitch of the day—a 94.4 mph (approximately 151.9 km/h) fastball—to secure a strike. He then induced a groundout to shortstop Jonathan Long, followed by a swinging strikeout of B.J. Murray with a sharp-splitter. James Triantoss also retired the side in two pitches with a groundout to third base, completing the first inning.

In the bottom of the seventh, Go returned to the mound and showcased his refined command with consecutive strikeouts. He struck out the first batter, Chase McCormick, with an outside fastball that resulted in a swinging miss. He then retired Ben Cowries with a foul-tip strikeout on three pitches. The final batter, Eric Yang, hit a ball to center field, which was caught by Max Clark, completing the perfect game.

After graduating from Galsan Elementary, Yangcheon Middle, and Chungam High School, Go was selected first overall in the 2017 KBO Rookie Draft and joined LG. He served as the team's closer until 2023. In 2022, he led the league with 42 saves and won the saves champion title. After helping LG win the 2023 Korean Series, he challenged the U.S. Major Leagues.

The challenge in the U.S. proved more difficult than expected. He joined the San Diego Padres in 2024, was included in a 1-for-4 trade with young prospects, and endured two instances of being designated for assignment. After stints with the Miami Marlins, he arrived at his current team, the Detroit Tigers, and is currently posting his best results since entering the U.S.

He began the season in Triple-A but was demoted to Double-A. However, he proved his ability with a 0.66 ERA in eight Double-A games and was promoted back to Triple-A on the 9th of last month, where he has continued to excel.

As his velocity and pitch quality have gradually improved, raising the possibility of a call-up to the big leagues, Go also declined a return request from his original team, LG, last month. On the 5th, LG officially announced: "Player Go Woo-seok met with Chairman Cha Myung-seok and expressed his lingering desire to continue challenging in American baseball. Ultimately, the club has decided to respect the player's wishes."

Since then, Go has continued to deliver top-tier pitching. His Triple-A statistics now stand at 10 games, 2 wins, 1 loss, 3.31 ERA, 16⅓ innings pitched, 24 strikeouts, a batting average against of 0.109, and a WHIP of 0.86, further fueling expectations for a potential call-up to the major leagues.

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*This content was translated by AI.