El Dong-won came out to the bullpen. Yum Liang is certain to succeed in this year's selection. 138km cutter, 128km sweeper, no timing of 120 curves

Mar 18, 2025

LG Twins Hernandez started against the NC Dinos on the 17th and is pitching hard. Photo courtesy = LG Twins

LG Twins Hernandez is performing his unique ceremony after the inning against the NC Dinos on the 17th. Photo courtesy = LG Twins

LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop is talking about the exhibition game with reporters on the 18th when the snowfall was canceled. Jamsil = Reporter Kwon In-ha

"Expectations are much higher than last year."

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop of the LG Twins highly evaluated the possibility of success for the 「L Dong-won」 Eliaser Hernandez. This is why the difference in restraint between the pitches has become clear.

Hernandez was the winning contractor brought in last year when he broke up with LG's foreign legend Casey Kelly. Although the ball speed is not very fast, various pitches and good ball control have many factors to succeed in the KBO.

However, Hernandez's true value was shown in the postseason, not the regular season. It was when he was a bullpen pitcher. Hernandez pitched in all five games in the semi-playoff against KT Wiz and showed off his iron wall with two saves and one hold of 0.00 ERA. In the playoff against the Samsung Lions, he pitched perfectly in the third game and recorded two hits, five strikeouts and no runs in three ⅔ innings.

However, he seemed a little lacking as a starting pitcher in the regular season. He pitched nine times as a starting pitcher, recording 3 wins and 2 losses with a 4.30 ERA. In particular, he was good in his first meeting with batters, but he was often caught by the bat in his second meeting.

He succeeded in renewing his contract with his performance in the postseason, but he could not affirm that he had no worries as a starting pitcher.

However, Hernandez pitched so well ahead of this year's regular season. He took the mound a total of three times in practice and exhibition games, with zero ERA.

LG Twins Hernandez is interviewing reporters after the NC Dinos match on the 17th. Jamsil = Reporter Kwon In-ha

The KBO League exhibition game between Lotte and LG held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 10th. LG Hernandez is pitching as a starter. Busan = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.10/

Hernandez, who had one hit, no four outs and three strikeouts in two innings in a practice game against KT Wiz in Okinawa, Japan, on the 2nd, had four hits, no four outs, three strikeouts and one run (non-earned) in three ⅔ innings in an exhibition game against the Lotte Giants in Busan on the 10th. And in the game against the NC Dinos at Jamsil Stadium on the 17th, which was the last exhibition game, he recorded only two hits in five ⅔ innings and seven strikeouts with one out.

While pitching a total of 11 ⅓ innings in three games, he allowed seven hits, 0 walks, 1 strikeout, 13 strikeouts, and 1 run (non-earned).

Coach Yeom said of Hernandez, `Expectations are much higher than last year.' The reason is the confinement difference between the pitches. Coach Yeom said, "There is a clear difference in speed between the three pitches: a slider of about 138 kilometers that I say is a cutter, a sweeper of 128 kilometers, and a curve of about 120 kilometers." Last year, the cutter's speed was about 142 kilometers. As a result, it was caught at the same time as the fastball.

Now that there is a clear difference in speed between the pitches, hitters have no choice but to be difficult. Manager Yeom said, `There must have been that part of what NC hitters were having a hard time attacking yesterday,' adding, `"Based on the data, the batters have difficult conditions to deal with."

Coach Yeom said, `It's my third year at LG, and I think it's my first time to start the season with two first-time foreign players. Foreign pitchers are the best of the three years,' he said, expressing satisfaction with Yoni Chirinos and Hernandez's foreign one-two punch.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.