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| Lotte's starting pitcher Velazquez is pitching hard in a game between Lotte and LG at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 19th.Jamsil= Reporter's book@sportschosun.comm/2025.08.19/ |
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| photo courtesy of Lotte Giants |
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| photo courtesy of Lotte Giants |
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He became the main player who broke the long 12-game losing streak. Can he become the vanguard of a great counterattack now.
A veteran with 39 major league wins. Velazquez, who has a fastball of more than 150 kilometers and various breaking balls, has drawn attention as a player who will be the ace of the Lotte Giants looking at 'more than 'fall baseball'.
So far, it has fallen far short of expectations. He played 14 innings in three games, recording one win, two losses and a 7.71 ERA.
Starting with five runs in three innings against the Hanwha Eagles on the 13th, he scored three runs in five innings against the LG Twins on the 19th and four runs in six innings against the NC Dinos on the 24th. At least, he set up a turning point by leading the team to escape from consecutive losses along with his first win in Korean baseball against NC.
However, the contrast with LG Tolhurst (3 wins and 0.50 ERA) who came to Korea at the same time is divided. Both teammate Gamboa and LG Tolhurst are players who have never made it to the big leagues, and their self-esteem is greatly hurt by the situation where they are all elite.
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| The game between the Hanwha Eagles and the Lotte Giants at Hanwha Life Ballpark in Daejeon on the 13th. Lotte starter Velazquez allowed five runs in the second inning. Daejeon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.08.13/ |
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Lotte believes it is a process of adapting to the KBO League official ball. There is an expectation that it will get better in the future." It was a recruitment that dreamed of the Korean Series when he was in third place, but it is rumored that he suffered a lot as the losing streak began immediately after strangely releasing Tucker Davidson and recruiting him. "It's a process of finding a sense, so please wait a little longer..." he asked the club. There is a clear sense of bewilderment in the Korean summer, which is much hotter and more humid than expected.
Above all, it is hopeful that Velazquez's fastball speed is rising. Before coming to Korea, the maximum speed in the last game of Triple-A was 155km, but in Korea, it was only 152km against NC, the third game. The basic revolution is also excellent.
In addition to four-seam and two-seam (up to 148 kilometers), Velazquez can even use slider curve changeups. Compared to Davison, who focused on improving the pitching angle on one side of the slider, the completeness of each pitch type is clearly higher.
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| photo courtesy of Lotte Giants |
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The walk ceremony is also certain. Lotte officials say in unison, `It seems that people are serious and feel a strong sense of responsibility for the team's current situation.'
I'll practice with the pitching coach or the power analysis team if there's room for helpto the extent that he promised " He is making efforts to sharpen his bones to learn how to control his speed, such as practicing a change-up of a grip different from what he usually throws.
Motivation is also urgent given the character of the player, the career so far, and the situation of the player who took a year off from elbow surgery and stayed in Triple-A this year.
Can the losing streak, which was long enough to summon former coach Baek In-cheon 22 to 23 years ago, be a lever for a new leap forward. Not only for the team, but also for Velazquez himself. In order for Lotte to advance to the postseason and perform well in autumn baseball, Velazquez must eventually play the role of ace.
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| photo courtesy of Lotte Giants |
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
