Choosing 'Similar Maddux' Over 155 km/h Fastball, Expectations for Perceived Velocity Exceed Imagination... Unveiled in Game vs. Lotte on the 7th

*This content was translated by AI.

"(Rather than 'Similar Randy Johnson') Wouldn't 'Similar Greg Maddux' be better?"

This was said by KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) regarding his new foreign pitcher, Daniel Davis (29). KT has staked its fate for the remainder of the season on a control pitcher who can throw strikes to desired locations instead of relying on eye-catching high-velocity fastballs.

Davis was acquired by KT on the 30th of last month as a replacement for left-handed pitcher Matt Sauer (27), formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers, in a deal worth a total of $406,000 (approximately 600 million won). He is highly regarded for his ability to manage games using stable control and a variety of pitches.

Previously, KT had selected Sauer, a power pitcher capable of throwing fastballs reaching speeds up to 155 km/h. However, in 18 appearances, he recorded 7 wins and 5 losses with an ERA of 4.88, striking out only 71 batters over 101⅓ innings. While he possessed a fast ball, he failed to consistently attack the strike zone and did not dominate batters as expected.

This time, the direction has changed. Manager Lee recalled when discussing candidates for Davis's acquisition: "We had both 'Similar Greg Maddux' and 'Similar Randy Johnson' options." The tall left-handed 'Similar Johnson' option had a good fastball but lacked in changeups and game management skills. In contrast, while Davis may not possess overwhelming velocity, he can throw strikes and has a variety of effective changeups available. When announcing Davis's scheduled appearance in the match against the Suwon Lotte Giants on the 7th, Manager Lee smiled, saying, "We will have to teach him again anyway. If we discard what doesn't work and utilize what does among his pitches, he can become a control pitcher. Wouldn't 'Similar Maddux' be better?"

The player's own assessment did not differ significantly from the manager's evaluation. Davis stated, "My greatest strength is my ability to throw fastballs exactly where I want them. I throw three types of fastball-based pitches — four-seam fastball, sinker, and cutter — all of which can be placed precisely within the strike zone."

When asked about his most confident out-pitch, he cited the changeup. He explained, "I understand that in the KBO League, strikeouts are relatively fewer and there are many batters with strong contact skills. It seems crucial to induce weak contact within the strike zone. I have a changeup that worked particularly well against left-handed hitters. I look forward to seeing if it will be effective against KBO League batters as well."

However, Davis should not be viewed merely as an ordinary control pitcher. There is another element KT expects from him: extension. Extension refers to the point at which a pitcher releases the ball while moving forward toward home plate from the pitching rubber. It is influenced by stride length, lower body movement, upper body lean, and release mechanics.

According to a KT club official, although Davis stands 185 cm tall, his extension is reportedly around 2 meters. This places him on par with NC Dinos' Curtis Taylor (31), who is 198 cm tall, and Chris Paddack (30), who is 196 cm tall. Although Davis is 13 cm shorter than Taylor, the point at which he releases the ball is correspondingly closer to the batter.

Of course, a longer extension does not automatically guarantee success. Without solid control, velocity, and pitch movement, it may hold little significance. However, releasing the ball further forward reduces the time batters have to see the pitch, potentially making it feel faster than its measured velocity. Davis's extension serves as an element that can partially compensate for his lack of overwhelming velocity.

Expectations are also high because he has already identified his strengths and the characteristics of KBO League batters. Davis stated, "The first thing I need to do is gain an advantage in the count. From the beginning, I want to throw aggressively to create in-play balls such as grounders or fly balls."

He added, "After two strikes, I will also aim for strikeouts, but fundamentally, my pitching style involves quickly resolving at-bats and inducing weak contact. While taking an early count advantage is important in any league, it seems especially critical in the KBO League."

His rapid understanding of the KBO League's characteristics was no coincidence. It turns out he already had a connection with KT. At that time, contract negotiations were underway, but his wife's pregnancy delayed his move to Korea. Davis said, "Playing in Korea has always been my desire, so this time I made the decision without much difficulty."

He also received advice from friends who have experience in the KBO League. Davis remarked, "I know several players who have played in Korea. I am familiar with Kenny Rosenberg, Nathan Wills, and David McKinnon, all of whom played for Kiwoom. I have faced my former teammate Sam Hilliard multiple times as an opponent. Before coming to Korea, I had many conversations with Logan. I prepared by asking about the tendencies of KBO League batters and how to approach them."

The 'Similar Maddux', whose fastball feels faster than expected, is seen as the final piece needed for KT, currently leading the KBO League standings, in their race for the championship. Davis expressed his ambitious goals: "I never had the opportunity to pitch in the postseason in the United States. Therefore, the fact that I can compete for a championship in Korea is truly exciting. I really want to experience this process. I hope to make a significant contribution to KT's journey all the way to the Korean Series and secure the title."

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*This content was translated by AI.