Samsung Lions fan by 'chance'... After switching to pitcher, throws 149 km/h in just one year! Deoksu High's Jung Kyung-hyuk: "I want to pitch like senior Yoon Seok-min" [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

He has made only five actual game appearances. Yet Deoksu High coach Jeong Yun-jin (55) has already selected him as a key pitcher to lead the mound next year. Jung Kyung-hyuk (18), who reached a top speed of 149 km/h just over a year after switching to pitching, is now emerging as a new hope for Deoksu High.

According to the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA), Jung Kyung-hyuk stands 185 cm tall and weighs 90 kg. Until middle school, he played both as an infielder and pitcher. Relying on a strong arm inherited from his father, who was once an ice hockey player, he handled not only the infield but also center field. After transferring to Deoksu High, he boldly chose to repeat a year and completely switched his focus to pitching.

Recently, Jung Kyung-hyuk met with StarNews at Deoksu High's practice field and reflected: "I felt it was a bit late to play full-time with my friends. I wanted to spend one year preparing thoroughly before starting."

Giving up his position as an infielder wasn't as difficult as he had expected. Jung Kyung-hyuk said, "Even after entering high school, I started out playing as an infielder. But since childhood, I had more confidence in throwing than hitting. After trying pitching during winter training, I gained much more confidence and felt it suited me better."

Regardless of how strong one's arm is, the mechanics for pitching and fielding are different. That is why it is rare for an infielder to take the mound in professional baseball. For Jung Kyung-hyuk, the past year was a process of rebirth as a pitcher. He explained, "As an infielder, you use your arms a lot when throwing, but as a pitcher, you must use your entire body, not just your arms. I worked hard for a whole year to correct that part. I also did weight training to build my body."

The results appeared quickly. In his first official games this year, Jung Kyung-hyuk recorded a 1.13 ERA over five games, 8 innings pitched with 5 walks and 8 strikeouts, and a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.13. Although the sample size is small, his top speed has already reached 149 km/h.

Coach Jeong Yun-jin named Jung Kyung-hyuk alongside Jeong Ju-young (17) as a promising pitcher to lead Deoksu High's mound next year. Starting catcher and President's Cup MVP Seol Jae-min (18) also said, "Jung Kyung-hyuk didn't get to play in many games, not even at the President's Cup. But he has naturally strong arms and was known for throwing well even as an infielder, so his control is excellent. When asked to throw breaking balls low, the ball comes exactly where he wants. His finger feel is just as good as (Eom) Jun-sang."

Eom Jun-sang (18), a promising prospect known for his natural finger dexterity, was recognized as both the best shortstop and a pitcher capable of throwing a fastball reaching 153 km/h in high school. Recognizing his talent, he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB) in June this year for $1.5 million.

The process of mastering the splitter, which became Jung Kyung-hyuk's primary pitch in less than a year, is a representative example of his sensory strengths. He originally threw changeups, but his control was inconsistent. Then, during an exhibition game, he saw an opponent's pitcher throw an excellent splitter and went over to ask how to throw it.

Jung Kyung-hyuk said, "The changeup was good when it worked, but my control was very shaky. During a practice game against Yulgo High, the opposing starting pitcher threw a really great splitter, so I asked him how he did it." He added with a smile, "After throwing the splitter, my control improved greatly and it felt perfect in my hand. Now, when it comes to placing pitches inside or outside the strike zone, I feel most confident with the splitter."

Growing up as a fan of Samsung Lions because he admired Yamayiko Navarro (39), Jung Kyung-hyuk chose right-handed pitcher Yoon Seok-min (40), who represented the KBO League, as his role model after switching to pitching. Jung Kyung-hyuk stated, "Senior Yoon Seok-min had excellent completion in both fastballs and breaking balls. Rather than overpowering with physique, I felt he threw with great balance, so I often watch videos of him."

He also has many connections with Doosan Bears. While hoping to reunite with Doosan Bears ace Kwak Bin (27), Jung Kyung-hyuk expressed a wish to face Deoksu High senior Park Jun-soon (20). He said, "Senior Kwak Bin once visited the lesson center I attended and we had a conversation. I heard that Senior Kwak Bin also greatly admired Senior Yoon Seok-min. If I make it to the pros, I'd like to meet again and talk." He added with a smile, "I've followed Senior (Park) Jun-soon closely since his freshman year, so we are close. That's probably why I think it will be fun to face him."

The 54th Bonghwangdaegi National High School Baseball Tournament, which began on the 7th, is the first national tournament where Jung Kyung-hyuk will fully showcase his abilities. He must fill the void left by Jeong Ju-young, who performed well at the President's Cup. Jung Kyung-hyuk said firmly, "My goal is to become a starting pitcher whom everyone can trust unconditionally in the most important games. To build stamina as a starter, I am working hard on both running and pitching training."

He dreamed of becoming like Deoksu High's ace and KIA Tigers' Kim Tae-hyung (20), who was an object of admiration. Jung Kyung-hyuk stated confidently, "I have liked Senior (Kim) Tae-hyung since I was young. During his time at Deoksu High, he had great stamina, excellent completion in breaking balls and fastballs. I want to achieve as much as he did at Deoksu High."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.