Where's the fastball? KIA's Cho Sang-woo, ball ball ball ball with a maximum speed of 145 kilometers → Are you a virtuoso. Anyway, I'm blocking him

Apr 20, 2025

Yang Eui-ji, who was heading to the dugout, talks to KIA Cho Sang-woo after the inning ended with Doosan and KIA at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 19th and Doosan Kim In-tae's infield ground ball with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in the bottom of the seventh inning. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.04.19/

KIA Cho Sang-woo is pitching hard in a game between Doosan and KIA at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 19th. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.04.19/

Is it a transformation?

KIA Tigers reliever Cho Sang-woo (31) drew attention by showing a slightly different pitching style.

Cho Sang-woo is widely known as a fastball pitcher who exceeds 150 km. The image is stronger as a type of pressing the other with overwhelming power rather than elaborate control.

However, in the match against Doosan Bears in Jamsil on the 19th, his fastball was less than 145 kilometers. Instead of four-seam fastballs, it was found that they used more two-seam fastballs with a lot of movement. In addition, Cho Sang-woo threw 24 pitches on the day, and he had more balls (13) than strikes (11). In addition to the modified fastball, he used several pitches, including sliders and fork balls.

Cho Sang-woo had two walks and one hit, but he allowed no runs in one inning anyway. The hold was also harvested.

Cho Sang-woo has a 1.86 ERA with two wins, one loss and five holds in nine ⅔ in 12 games this season. The on-base allowance per inning (WHIP) is slightly higher at 1.45, but the data is not particularly flawed.

In addition, Cho Sang-woo's ball power is improving as he continues to play. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho considers Cho Sang-woo the most reliable must-win card after closer Jung Hae-young. Coach Lee Bum-ho said he will use Cho Sang-woo as a setup man in the eighth inning.

Director Lee Bum-ho said, `Cho Sang-woo is in good condition. (Jeong) I'm thinking of writing it in front of Haeyoung. Won't Jo Sang-woo's 8th episode and Jung Hae-young's 9th episode be the best in the current situation. And when you can save it, you have to save it so that you can stay in good condition until mid-to-late. I'm paying attention to that."

Cho Sang-woo took the mound at second base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning when he was chased 6-4 against Doosan on the 19th.

In the KIA-Hanwha match held at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 29th, Cho Sang-woo pitches in the bottom of the eighth inning. Daejeon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.3.29/

The match between the KIA Tigers and the Samsung Lions at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 2nd. KIA Cho Sang-woo is pitching hard. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /25.04.02/

Cho Sang-woo threw eight balls in a row. Yang Seok-hwan of Yang Eui-ji was walked straight. He caused a bases-loaded crisis with two outs. The first pitch thrown to Kim In-tae, who came out as a pinch hitter, finally became a strike. Cho Sang-woo drew a ground ball to Kim In-tae to put out the fire.

Even if there was no loss, it was a situation that could increase anxiety.

Cho Sang-woo allowed a clean hit to Kim Ki-yeon, the leadoff hitter, in the bottom of the eighth inning. The next batter, Park Joon-young, returned with three strikeouts again. He threw only fastballs to Park Joon-young, which was formed 142 to 143 kilometers. He threw five fighting balls against Cho. As the number of pitches increased, Cho Sang-woo did not finish the eighth inning.

In the end, closer Jung Hae-young played multiple innings in the eighth inning with two outs and runners on second base.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.