KIA Tigers gives internal evaluation of 'meaningful results' from sending four pitchers — Lee Ui-ri, Kim Si-hoon, Hong Min-gyu, and Kang Hyo-jong — to a short-term training program in Japan, as it partners with Nextbase

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers signed a business partnership agreement on the 6th with 'Nextbase (NEXTBASE)', a professional training facility located in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Regarding Nextbase, KIA stated it is "a professional training institution equipped with a player development system based on biomechanical analysis, a research achievement of Dr. Shinji Tsutomu," and added that "it possesses differentiated competitiveness because it can operate customized projects optimized for the body types and pitching mechanisms of East Asians."

KIA noted that in June, four pitchers — Lee Ui-ri, Kim Si-hoon, Hong Min-gyu, and Kang Hyo-jong — were sent on a short-term training program and achieved meaningful results, receiving positive internal evaluation. Based on this, the club proceeded with the current agreement. A Nextbase official also met directly with the four pitchers who returned after completing their two-day short-term training program on the 5th and 6th to provide feedback.

Through this business partnership agreement, KIA plans to establish a systematic player development framework aimed at improving team performance, including: continuous dispatch of players for development; operation of projects and construction of pitching labs targeting Futures League players; and strengthening coaching capabilities through the dispatch of coaching staff.

General Manager Shim Jae-hak said, "The on-site satisfaction with the short-term training program in June was high, and we prepared this agreement to systematize the latest biomechanical analysis techniques." He further stated, "We will not limit our efforts to simply dispatching players but will explore various measures to improve performance, such as actively introducing Nextbase's advanced technologies to Gwangju and Hampyeong."

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*This content was translated by AI.