Will curveballer definitely be the fifth starter of Yuri's fate, and will Kim Do-hyun, the ABS beneficiary, see today

Mar 16, 2025

Will curveballer definitely be the fifth starter of Yuri's fate, and will Kim Do-hyun, the ABS beneficiary, see today
3rd pitch Kim Do-hyun's third curveball to Lee Jae-hyun. Han Jun-su caught the mitt almost touching the ground, but ABS ruled it a strike. Capture the Teaving Screen



Will curveballer definitely be the fifth starter of Yuri's fate, and will Kim Do-hyun, the ABS beneficiary, see today
The KBO League exhibition game between KIA and Samsung held at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju on the 15th. KIA Kim Do-hyun is pitching as a starter. Gwangju =Song Jeong-heon, Reporter Song@sportschosun.com/2025.03.15/
KIA Tigers' 5th starting pitcher who continued throughout the off-season. It's finally decided.

KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said ahead of the match against Samsung in Gwangju on the 16th, `They are pitchers who throw well, who do not fall out wherever they go, except for a different tendency.' `The pitcher coach's thoughts are as important as I think. Pitchers with good stuff, so we'll have to discuss it and decide after throwing it today."All.

The selection of the game on the day is in a state of confusion. We have a final rehearsal.




In the match against Samsung on the 15th of the previous day, Kim Do-hyun pitched well with three hits, four strikeouts and one run (non-earned) in four ⅓ innings.

One decisive scene on the day slightly increased the possibility of Kim Do-hyun's fifth starter.

It was an incident that made me feel the lowered ABS zone.




In the top of the third inning, Kim Do-hyun struck out Samsung's leadoff hitter Lee Jae-hyun. At 0B2S, the 127km curve fell significantly, and when catcher Han Jun-su caught it, the mitt touched the ground. Lee Jae-hyun thought he picked out a manned ball, but ABS ruled it a strike.

If it was ABS last year, a strike call could never be made. However, the trajectory of passing through the 3D strike zone came out on the broadcast screen. Obviously, the ball came all over the front and back zones.

a ball that looks ridiculous to the naked eye. Everyone in the ground was surprised. Not only the batter but also the pitcher who threw the ball was embarrassed.




Will curveballer definitely be the fifth starter of Yuri's fate, and will Kim Do-hyun, the ABS beneficiary, see today
Kim Do-hyun's curveball passing through the bottom of the strike zone. Teaving Screen
Will curveballer definitely be the fifth starter of Yuri's fate, and will Kim Do-hyun, the ABS beneficiary, see today
KIA Hwang Dong-ha is pitching hard in a practice game between KT and KIA at Kin Stadium in Okinawa, Japan, on the 3rd. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.03.03/
In an interview after the game, Kim Do-hyun said, `I was a little embarrassed, but I think it was good to have that kind of luck," he said with a humbling smile. "Now, I think I have to throw such a curve ball well (to get caught by ABS)," he said.

When it was said that the ABS zone was lowered by about 1 cm, the first thing that came out of the field was the prediction of the advantage of the curveballer. That scene proved to be a curveball strike call falling to the ground of Kim Do-hyun.

If the use of low curves for new zones increases and batters are generally aware of it, the power of falling curves will inevitably increase. There is a high possibility that he will try to cut the ball, which he did not touch because he judged it to be a manned ball in the past, especially after the two-strike. It is not easy to distinguish between a real manned ball and a low zone curve strike. For hitters, confusion is expected to be inevitable, especially early in the season.

Manager Lee Bum-ho said, `With the change in the ABS zone, pitchers who throw low curves well have certainly gained an advantage. Kim Do-hyun also predicted, "I think I can benefit from the curve being the main player."

As for the batters on the other hand, the coach said "If you hit all those things, you'll follow the ball and you won't be able to hit the ball you wanted." There are not many owners of ball control that opposing pitchers can throw perfectly again. You have to throw it away and erase it quickly so that you can hit another ball. I hope you don't think too deeply. One ball can ruin the game. I'm ordering you to forget it quickly", he explained.

In addition to Yoon Do-hyun, KIA has starting pitchers who throw curves well such as Adam Oler. Yang Hyun-jong Yoon Young-chul also uses a curveball.

Reporter Jung Hyun-seok hschung@sportschosun.com



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.