'We' and the 'KBO's Top Pitcher' we knew, An Woo-jin, has returned! Adjusting the pitching rubber position and fine-tuning ABS for a perfect comeback

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes' ace An Woo-jin (27) has regained the 'untouchable' mode that dominated the KBO League two to three years ago.

On the 22nd, An Woo-jin made a starting appearance against the KIA Tigers at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, delivering nearly flawless pitching over seven innings with four hits allowed, one hit by pitch, and six strikeouts in a scoreless effort. Until recently, he had struggled with his slider due to significant movement issues under the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike System) environment, but appears to have found a solution by skillfully adjusting his foot placement on the pitching rubber.

That day, An Woo-jin demonstrated his power by throwing 21 of his 28 sliders for strikes. Previously, he had thrown from the first-base side of the rubber, but today he moved toward the center to alter his pitch trajectory. Notably, among the 31st fastballs he threw, his top velocity reached 158 km/h, with an average speed of 154 km/h. He showcased exceptional command, as even his slowest fastball clocked in at 150 km/h. Mixing in sliders, curves, changeups, and two-seamers, he displayed perfect control over pitch speed. His slowest curveball was recorded at just 121 km/h, further highlighting his superior ability to vary pace.

In an interview with on-site reporters after the game, An Woo-jin explained the secret to his strong performance: "I used to throw from the first-base side of the rubber, but when I moved toward the center, I noticed something changed under ABS. As I kept using my slider, it started feeling flat like a fastball, so I focused on pressing down with my fingertips. The pitch dropped at the desired angle and induced swings, leading to good results."

He continued, "I discussed with our pitching coach that if we start the slider from the center since its angle had dulled, maybe the trajectory would come alive—and it worked perfectly. Against Kim Do-young, I threw a backdoor slider, referencing the pitching of my senior brother Ha Young-min from the previous day (afternoon), aiming to get just one strike. It easily secured favorable counts."

Recently, An Woo-jin had taken a break after being temporarily removed from the first-division roster due to symptoms resembling a cold. During this period, he reorganized his pitching balance. He shared, "When rain canceled games before, I stopped throwing and rested, which caused my feel to decline. This time, however, I kept throwing frequently to maintain my sharpness. There's something called 'micro-cracking,' where screws loosen without you realizing it, causing your pitching to waver. From the catchball stage onward, I focused on addressing this."

As a result, his signature 158 km/h fastball and sharp slider, along with his changeup and curveball, all regained their spin rates, completely shutting down the KIA lineup. An Woo-jin's pitching, which involved self-analysis and correction of trial-and-error adjustments, was more than enough to signal the perfect return of the KBO League's top pitcher.

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*This content was translated by AI.