"My friends have already gone pro, but…" No Regrets for the One-Year Delay! Deoksu High School's Jeong Woo-hyuk Throws 149 km/h: "Next Year, I Aim for 155 km/h and a Sub-1.00 ERA" [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"It actually serves as more motivation. My friends are already in the pros, while I am still a high school student, so I work hard with the mindset that I must do well enough to make it to the pros, even if it is late."

Even though his start was delayed by one year compared to others, he did not feel anxious. Jeong Woo-hyuk (18, Deoksu High School), who boldly chose to repeat a grade to switch from an infielder to a pitcher, has now set new goals ahead of his final high school season: improving his top speed from 149 km/h to 155 km/h and achieving a sub-1.00 ERA.

Jeong Woo-hyuk, who recently met with StarNews at the Deoksu High School baseball team's practice field in Seoul, evaluated himself while looking back on this year: "I don't remember pitching that well, so I haven't done anything major."

In fact, his record this year was not spectacular. Jeong Woo-hyuk appeared in six official high school games, finishing with a no-decision record, a 2.25 ERA, and seven walks against eight strikeouts in eight innings. Although it was his first season as a pitcher, he did not accumulate much live game experience.

Nevertheless, his potential has been recognized. Deoksu High School head coach Jung Yun-jin (55) named Jeong Woo-hyuk as a candidate for the team's ace next year. Seol Jae-min (18), the starting catcher who won the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at this year's Presidential Cup and was selected 12th overall in the second round of the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft by the Doosan Bears, also evaluated him: "Jeong Woo-hyuk has naturally good shoulders and was a player who threw well even when he played as an infielder, so his control is excellent." His ability to throw breaking balls to desired locations and his finger feel were also cited as strengths.

According to the Korea Baseball & Softball Association (KBSA) standards, Jeong Woo-hyuk is a right-handed pitcher standing 185 cm tall and weighing 90 kg. He played shortstop through middle school and continued to play second base and third base after entering high school. Eventually, determining that throwing was what he could do best, he decided to switch to pitching.

It was not simply a change of position. After transferring to Deoksu High School, he chose to repeat a grade to invest time in building his body and pitching mechanics as a pitcher. Jeong Woo-hyuk reflected: "During the year I repeated, I could not participate in school training, so I trained very hard at a private facility."

As a result, he recorded a top speed of 149 km/h within about a year of switching to pitching. In addition to his fastball, he throws cutters, curves, and splitters. The splitter, which he learned directly from an opposing pitcher during a practice game against Yulgok High School, suited his hand well and became his primary weapon.

Jeong Woo-hyuk cited his control and competitive grit as his strengths over raw speed. He said: "While throwing hard is part of it, I believe my strength is my control. My ability to get strikes with breaking balls even in unfavorable situations and my confidence that I never fear the batter are my strengths."

However, throwing good pitches and consistently holding down the pitcher's mound were separate issues. Given his late switch to pitching, there were still many areas he needed to refine.

Fortunately, he is confident in building his stamina, having inherited an athletic physique from his father, Jeong Do-hee, who played baseball through middle school before switching to ice hockey in high school and playing on a semi-professional team, and his mother, who was fast at running.

Jeong Woo-hyuk explained: "Because I played as an infielder, I think my pitching movements are lacking compared to players who have been pitching for several years. So I am confident because I run a lot and throw many balls, gradually increasing my pitch count." He added, "I believe drill work is important in pitching, so I do a lot of weight training and drills even when resting."

On days he throws, he uses weighted balls to check his body mechanics, and on non-throwing days, he practices throwing against a wall to maintain his pitching feel. The most important thing is health.

Jeong Woo-hyuk emphasized: "Because I repeated a grade, I believe I absolutely must not get injured. My top priority is preparing without injury." He continued, "I must pitch much better next year than this year. I am researching how to battle batters on the mound and managing my body by increasing my weight so that I do not tire out until the latter half of the season."

For him, 2026 was not a season left with only regrets. Deoksu High School won the national double crown by capturing the Shinsegae E-Mart Cup in April and the Presidential Cup in July. In particular, the Presidential Cup final, where they defeated Yusin High School 7-4 in a 10th-inning extra-inning tiebreaker, was an unforgettable moment for Jeong Woo-hyuk. He said: "I didn't do anything major, but the moment the team came from behind to win in the final is what I remember most."

His role model is Yoon Seok-min (40), a former KIA Tigers player. This is because he wants to be a pitcher who can be trusted and relied upon when the team needs him, just like Yoon Seok-min, who handled starting, middle relief, and closing roles.

Jeong Woo-hyuk stated: "In high school, if my coach trusts me and tells me to pitch, I want to pitch in any role. In the pros, it would be best to play as a starting pitcher." He revealed, "My goal is to become a starting pitcher who can be unconditionally trusted for an entire game."

He nurtured his dream of baseball by watching Samsung Lions games following his father. He liked Yamaico Navarro (39), the legendary second baseman who led the Samsung dynasty, and Yoon Seong-hwan (45), the ace starter of that era.

For the boy who once dreamed of Samsung, the goal of entering the pros now awaits him. Although his same-age friends have already donned professional uniforms, Jeong Woo-hyuk does not regret his choice. His goal remains a head-on battle with Deoksu High School senior Park Jun-soon (20), known for his good contact ability.

Jeong Woo-hyuk smiled and said: "Baseball is fun even when things don't go well, and it's even more fun when they do. I have never thought baseball was hard." He then declared his resolve: "Next year, I want to try throwing up to 155 km/h. Since I am one year older than other players, I definitely want to record a sub-1.00 ERA as well."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original