Three-match ERA 1.56 and zero wins...Changed Magic Curve → Fastball 9km faster → KIA's Hope Birth of a native ace
Apr 14, 2025
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KIA Tigers' Kim Do-hyun (25) won the fifth starting position after fierce competition this season. However, after the opening, he has a good performance with a 1.56 ERA in three games.
It is a treasure itself at a time when Yang Hyun-jong and Yoon Young-chul are sluggish and Oler is not meeting expectations. Although it is still at the beginning of the season, it added stability to the presence of the native ace.
Kim Do-hyun, from Shinil High School, entered the professional league through Hanwha Eagles in the second fourth round (33 times overall) in 2019.
From his second year as a starter, he got a chance little by little. My control was good at the time. His fastball was 140km, which was not a fast pitcher. There was also praise for the 'Magic Curve' but the wall of the professional was too much. No matter how good the ball control was, slow pitching often led to home runs.
The second act of life opened when it was traded to the KIA Tigers in 2022. After completing his military service, he began to get opportunities on the first team stage little by little in May last year. And this year, he won the starting position.
On March 27, he recorded his first quality start of the season with two runs in six innings against the Kiwoom Heroes in Gwangju. Then, he continued his pitching streak for three consecutive innings with two runs in six innings against the Gwangju Samsung Lions on April 2 and two runs (one earned run) in five ⅓ against the Lotte Giants in Busan on the 8th.
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In terms of physical strength, 100 pitches were also solid enough to have no problem. Although there is still an image of concern about 'long hit'. Kim Do-hyun's biggest twist is here.
The fastball, which was only up to 142-143 kilometers in Hanwha's time, exceeds 150 kilometers in KIA. In the match against Lotte, it came up to 151km. When the ball speed came up, the ball power was added. He has allowed 18 hits in three games, but not a single home run yet. KIA's second-tier pitching coach Lee Jung-ho "I have to go up, but there is no room. It is not an empty saying that he/she has been selected as a pitcher who will be a force in the first team.
Best season start for a person. Since changing his name from Kim Yi-hwan to Kim Do-hyun in 2022, the improved trend is finally shining. Kim Do-hyun smiled brightly saying, `I'm glad I'm helping the team.'
Why did the fastball speed increase significantly compared to the Hanwha era. It was helpful to manage my body systematically while serving as a cook in the military. Kim Do-hyun "I've been learning steadily, and I've been convinced by studying pitching mechanisms and things like that. I made an effort to raise the restraintRather than looking at it, the ball balance and confidence naturally came up", he explained.
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The first breaking ball is still a curve. However, it is not a slow curve with a large angle that was thrown during the Hanwha era, but a fast curve with more power. He is confident enough to use it to count and throw a decision ball. Above all, he has enough room to look at the batter's complexion and target the strike zone.
As for the game against Lotte, which was his third appearance, "My ball is good now, but I felt bad because I kept getting hits." I hope you understand that he is in good condition and full of confidence. I was lucky."
"I don't think the selection is my place yet. Isn't there a good competitor. I think we can keep this position in the future only when we always work with the mindset that we are competing. I want to meet my fans as a starting pitcher for a long time to come."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.