“I have to dedicate this body to my country.”
It is the spirit of a player wearing the Taegeuk mark for the first time in his life. LG Twins pitcher Jung Woo-young (24) revealed his determination for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March.
Jung Woo-young was named in the 30 final entries for the 2023 WBC announced on the 4th. It was a thrilling moment for Jung Woo-young, who was selected as a candidate for the 2019 Premier 12 and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but could not go. In 2019, the three goals (Rookie of the Year, All-Star Game, and National Representative) that he set when he came to the pros were achieved in four years.
Jung Woo-young is called the ‘Beijing Kids’ along with Lee Jeong-hoo, Kim Hye-seong (Lee Sang Kiwoom Heroes), Kang Baek-ho (KT Wiz), and Won Tae-in (Samsung Lions). This is the generation who grew up dreaming of becoming a baseball player by watching the 2008 Beijing Olympics and 2009 WBC. In particular, Jung Woo-young grew into a sidearm pitcher after watching Lim Chang-yong at the 2009 WBC (runner-up) when he was 10 years old. And I have been standing on the stage of that dream for the first time in 14 years.
Jung Woo-young, who we met at Jamsil Stadium on the 4th, said, “I had the thought that the title holder (hold king) would be selected this time,” but “In the past, I expressed a lot (about the national team boarding) and was immersed. I prepared calmly with my heart,” he laughed.
Jung Woo-young is close with Jung Woo-young (Freiburg), a national soccer player of the same age. There is also a possibility that the two will participate together in the Asian Games in Hangzhou in September. Jung Woo-young said, “I was envious of (Jung Woo-young, who participated in the World Cup). I was not only envious of Jung Woo-young, but the whole nation loves soccer, so I thought, ‘I hope baseball will be so enthusiastic.'” Then, he confessed, “Whether I was selected or not, I thought that I would like the people to like baseball by getting results in the WBC.”
Jung Woo-young throws a fastball with a maximum speed of 157 km/h. Japan national team coach Hideki Kuriyama, who watched the playoffs in October last year, picked Jung Woo-young along with Lee Jung-hoo and Go Woo-seok as a threatening player. Coach Kuriyama commented, “Jung Woo-young is a very demanding pitcher.”
In the meantime, the baseball team has had submarine pitchers active in international competitions. This is because it is relatively unfamiliar to Central and South American countries. The only players who boarded Lee Kang-cheol-ho in this tournament were Koh Young-pyo (KT) and Jung Woo-young. Although there is a pitch limit, there is a high possibility that he will pitch often.
Jung Woo-young said, “I am confident. We face each other in an unfamiliar state, but I think it will be a tournament that can be more advantageous for a middle pitcher like me.” .
The match I am most interested in is the Korea-Japan match. Korea and Japan are drawn in Group A and clash from the first round. Jung Woo-young said, “I want to meet top-class players (from the United States or the Dominican Republic) and compete,” and expressed his motivation, saying, “But I think what fans are most looking forward to is the Korea-Japan match. We have to beat Japan. I want to meet Japanese players.” . He smiled at the question about the match with Shohei Ohtani, the “batter”.
The WBC is literally the best stage in the world. Major league scouts are also watching with interest. Jung Woo-young, who has the world’s fastest two-seam fastball, has already been caught on the MLB radar network. He is also waiting for a game against active hitters playing in the big leagues. Jung Woo-young said, “If I only show my balls, I think the evaluation will come out well.” 메이저사이트
Jung Woo-young is not afraid of challenges. He was skinny, but bulked up to increase his velocity. He tries to change for the better this year as well. The first is an increase in the percentage of breaking balls. Jung Woo-young said, “(Catcher Yu) Gangnam-hyung asked to use more strong weapons (two-seam), and I accepted. Director Yeom Gyeong-yeop said, ‘Why are you playing so hard?’ I’m preparing to use the slider more.” said
It also plans to make up for its weaknesses. It is an improvement in the ability to control runners, which is a weakness of submarine pitchers with large pitching forms. From set position, I try to throw a little shorter and gather strength. Jung Woo-young said, “On the outside, it doesn’t show much. He is trying to reduce his pitching time.”