Recalling Ryu Hyun-jin's advice on the '23 walks nightmare,' Choe Jun-yong emphasizes, "Let's fight even if we get hit, rather than giving out a walk"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Juniors, let's throw more strikes."

This was advice Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles), who participated in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) last March, offered to his juniors on the national team. Choe Jun-yong (25, Lotte Giants), who is serving as the pitcher's team leader for the 2026 Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC), also emphasized this point.

Choe Jun-yong met with reporters ahead of his departure for Tokyo, Japan, via Gimpo International Airport on the 9th, stating firmly, "Last year, we gave out too many walks and allowed runs," adding, "In this tournament, we intend to fight boldly without giving out walks, even if it means getting hit."

The national team, which participated in the K-Baseball Series held after last season ended, wavered by committing 23 walks in two games.

Subsequently, Ryu Hyun-jin, who joined the national team for the WBC, advised, "I hope pitchers do not view the game as too difficult. It is unavoidable to hit a home run. However, we must avoid creating our own crisis with a walk. If we casually give up momentum with one walk or one dead ball, the game becomes difficult. I want to tell them a lot that we should throw strikes as much as possible and keep it simple."

Choe Jun-yong, who was watching from the bench at the time when the team finished the first inning against the Czech Republic with KKK but had been giving out numerous walks, still vividly remembers the scene. He said, "Our pitchers are so talented that I hope they trust their own abilities and do not tremble on the pitcher's mound," adding, "I believe that if we put our strongest pitches into the strike zone frequently, our probability of winning will increase. I hope they play confidently without regret."

This season, Choe Jun-yong pitched in 61 games over 60⅔ innings, recording a 5-3 record with 15 saves and 10 holds, along with an ERA of 3.71. It was a season in which he contributed greatly to the team by alternating between the closer role and the high-leverage relief corps. Now, he has taken on the role of steadily leading the bullpen for the national team.

What Choe Jun-yong is paying more attention to is the atmosphere. While stating, "Technically, everyone is so outstanding that I don't feel there is much I need to say," he explained, "Because it is a big stage, I am trying to create a fun atmosphere so that we can perform well without tension."

He also conveyed the warm atmosphere of the pitching group, saying, "We have had many conversations and shared meals so that we could get closer to each other, so I think we will be able to play baseball freely in Japan as well."

He also dispelled his own concerns about the long gap from live games after the regular season ended. He said, "I was a bit worried because it had been too long since I last played, but after coming back from this practice game, it seems better than I had thought," adding, "Since I have been to Tokyo Dome once, if I feel the heat when I step onto the pitcher's mound, I will be able to throw good pitches again."

He did not forget to offer detailed advice for his juniors who are stepping on the Tokyo Dome pitcher's mound for the first time. Choe Jun-yong shared technical advice, saying, "The Tokyo Dome pitcher's mound is high and somewhat sloped, so if you are not careful, the ball can fly upward; therefore, you should aim low when throwing," while urging, "The most important thing is that I hope you do not tremble and enjoy that atmosphere."

The gaze of the pitching team leader guiding the young mound is directed solely toward 'victory.' Choe Jun-yong emphasized, "We are not going there in a position to learn; we really have to win this time, so we go with only one mindset: winning."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original