'Last-place starters → 1st in wins + innings' Amazing transformation, pitcher staff changes led by Jo Hyung-woo "Now it's not about the pitches pitchers throw well..."

*This content was translated by AI.

The pitching staff has completely changed. It feels like a completely different team compared to the first half. At the center of this change is starting catcher Jo Hyung-woo (24, SSG Landers).

In the second half, SSG has recorded 12 wins, 10 losses, and 1 tie in 23 games, placing them 5th overall. The most significant change has been in the pitching staff, particularly among the starters.

During the first half, SSG's starting rotation completely collapsed. With an ERA of 6.28, they ranked last. They managed only 10 Quality Starts (QS: at least six innings pitched by a starter with three or fewer earned runs allowed). This was just one-fourth of the league-leading Doosan Bears (40 QS) and less than half of the ninth-place Kiwoom Heroes (21 QS).

In the second half, the situation flipped 180 degrees. The starting rotation's ERA improved to 3.80, ranking third overall. They recorded 10 wins, placing them second in wins, and logged 123 innings, leading the league in that category. Their QS count also reached 23, firmly securing first place.

Pedro Avila, who joined in the second half, has emerged as the ace with four wins and no losses, posting a 1.54 ERA. Kim Min-joon (3.46 ERA) has followed closely behind, while other pitchers have also held their ground well.

Jo Hyung-woo's role as a fully established starter cannot be overlooked. Although he received criticism from manager Lee Seung-yong during the first half regarding his pitching leadership, the manager stated, "I believe the reason the starters are throwing well is due to Jo Hyung-woo's excellent calling of pitches. Even when he comes into the dugout, he talks with players and studies with them after games, which has been helpful." The manager added, "The coaching staff received many criticisms about pitch selection, but now as they adjust their pitch-selection balance, pitchers are throwing fewer pitches. Catchers play an important role in batting, but defense is even more critical. It seems Jo Hyung-woo's efforts in this area are yielding better results."

When asked by StarNews for more details, Jo Hyung-woo explained, "I began focusing more intensively on performance analysis and other preparations even before my first-half performance declined. I increased the number of meetings and had many conversations with the battery coach." He continued, "The manager always emphasized that we need to study these aspects more. Those insights were quite enlightening."

He is also making direct changes to pitch selection. Jo Hyung-woo said, "My approach to pitch selection feels completely different from the first half. I'm paying closer attention to batters' reactions and considering various scenarios. My mind seems to be working better now." He added, "It might seem like a small thing, but as I've started catching more batters out, my confidence has grown, which has led to further improvement. Actually, I feel a bit regretful. If I had felt this way or thought about it even slightly earlier in the first half, things might have gone better."

Previously, he focused on what pitchers did well, but now that has changed. "I used to follow the pitcher's tendencies quite a bit, but now I'm focusing more on the batter," he explained. "I'm concentrating more on how to attack batters and actively giving signs to pitchers. For example, instead of just throwing pitches that pitchers throw well, we're trying to get them to throw pitches that batters can't hit."

In this regard, experience is more important for catchers than for any other position. It's not uncommon for players to reach their prime in their 30s. Jo Hyung-woo also values the accumulation of experience as a precious asset. "I feel like the very scale of my thinking has changed," he said. "All the veteran catchers have told me the same thing: 'You need to play more games. Only then will you become visible.' Through competing against batters, I feel my perspective is broadening."

Last year, the pitching staff was exceptionally strong. However, this season, despite difficult circumstances, he has driven positive changes in the pitching staff during the second half. "Last year, results were so good that we didn't face many tough situations. That might have actually made it harder to overcome difficulties quickly when things went poorly this year," he reflected. "Honestly, last year was a season where luck played a big role. I don't think I fully realized that at the time, but this year, the struggles may have become a catalyst for becoming stronger." He added, "Senior player Lee Ji-young also told me, 'Going through tough situations now will be very helpful.' He said, 'As a starting catcher, you might find yourself in difficult team situations. Don't just think negatively or feel overwhelmed by hardship.' That advice has been a great help."

Being at the center of these changes, Jo Hyung-woo is enjoying baseball more than anyone else during the second half. "I'm having fun playing games," he said, "but I also have confidence, so when things don't go well, I get frustrated sometimes. Recently, I've been thinking deeply about specific details: 'Should I throw this? That? Do it this way?' These kinds of thoughts come up frequently."

The team is in a situation where big hopes are hard to maintain. Nevertheless, Jo Hyung-woo said, "I'm only thinking about winning every game. The manager even said, 'We're ninth; what's there to worry about?' That really resonated with me." He continued, "It doesn't mean being ninth is fine. But I think when other teams face us, they might feel more anxious, which could allow us to play more boldly. For next year, if we grow not just as individuals but as a team this year, perhaps we'll be able to overcome difficult situations faster."

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*This content was translated by AI.