As the deadline for accepting applications for the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft approaches on the 15th, attention is focused on Jang Hyun-seok’s future. Jang Hyun-seok, a 190-cm, 90-kg, right-handed orthodox pitcher, already threw a maximum speed of 156 kilometers last year when he was a second grader, announcing his appearance as a monster. 온라인카지노
Earlier this year, Jang Hyun-seok was widely expected to remain in Korea rather than entering the U.S. After finishing the Shinsegae E-Mart Cup in April, he had a gap of nearly three months due to a biceps injury, and there were not many opportunities to appeal his potential to major league scouts.
However, he threw a fastball of up to 155 kilometers in the Cheongryonggi last month, signaling his strong performance. In the second round, he announced his return to Gwangju Jinheung High School with one hit, one walk, and six strikeouts in three ⅓, and made a strong impression with three hits, four walks, and 14 strikeouts in six ⅔ at Jangchung High School in the quarterfinals.
Jang Hyun-suk, who throws not only fast balls but also large curves in soft pitching form, was highly regarded for his overall pitching balance and control. Compared to Shim Joon-seok (19), who signed a contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in January this year and went straight to the U.S. stage, the Major League’s interest has grown, and the weight seems to be leaning toward entering the U.S.
It is regrettable for Hanwha, which has the No. 1 overall nomination right. However, Hanwha has a clear alternative, Hwang Joon-seo (18, Jang Chung-go), another big pitcher. Hwang Joon-seo, who is considered the next high school “number two” after Jang Hyun-seok, was recognized for his potential early enough to be selected for the youth national team last year when he was a second grader.
Of course, the gap between Jang Hyun-seok and Hwang Joon-seo is quite large. A scout said, “Hwang Joon-seo is a good pitcher, and he continues to improve. “It’s better than Yoon Young-chul (KIA) at this time last year,” he said. “It can’t be compared to Jang Hyun-suk. The size itself is different. “If you are not sick, there will be no team to turn away from Jang Hyun-suk,” he said.
However, Hwang Joon-seo’s growth is not lacking as an alternative to Jang Hyun-seok. Hwang Joon-seo, a left-hander who weighs 187 centimeters and weighs 80 kilograms, added about five kilograms this year, giving his ball a boost. He has been evaluated as a “Yoon Young-cheol who is fast in ball” by raising the maximum speed to 150km. Recently, he was sluggish with five runs in four ⅓ innings at Kyungpook High School in the semifinals of the Blue Dragon Open, but he pitched well this year with six wins and one loss and a 2.25 ERA in 14 high school games (44 ⅓ innings).
The deception movement to hide the ball as a left-hander is good, and the control and completeness of the main weapon splitter are high. Just as a similar type of left-hander Yoon Young-chul has quickly become a starter since his first year of debut this year, it is expected to be immediately full strength. Hwang Joon-seo may be a card to balance left and right due to the composition of Hanwha’s mound, which lacks left-handers.
If Jang Hyun-seok is confirmed to go to the U.S., Doosan, which has the second-highest nomination right after Hanwha, will inevitably revise its nomination strategy. With the possibility of selecting right-handed fastball pitcher Kim Taek-yeon (Incheon High School), it is expected to be a chaotic draft that is difficult to predict for several promising pitchers, including the third-ranked Lotte player, Cho Dae-hyun (Gangneung High School), Yuk Sun-yeop (Jang Chung High School), and Jeon Mir (Gyeongbuk High School).