Kiwoom's next left-handed prospect

[Anchor]

This year, the rookie player expected to make a significant impact in professional baseball is Kiwoom Heroes' top prospect, Jung Hyun-woo.

He is being spotlighted as a special left-handed starting pitcher to follow in the footsteps of Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Kwang-hyun, and Yang Hyun-jong, and is sweating hard for a successful debut.

Reporter Ha Mu-rim met with him.

[Report]

Kiwoom's left-handed rookie pitcher Jung Hyun-woo throws the ball vigorously in the bullpen.

The ball, stretching like a clothesline, hits the mitt with a crisp sound.

He is gradually improving his feel through what is called half pitching, where he throws the ball with a catcher set up.

In addition to strength training, he is also engaging in running training to build a professional athlete's physique.

[Jung Hyun-woo/Kiwoom: "I think I've lost about 1-2 kg compared to when I first joined, and my muscle mass is gradually increasing."]

Jung Hyun-woo is a left-handed pitcher with a top speed of 152 km/h.

He is praised for his control as well as his game management skills.

Last year, he became the overall number one rookie with an overwhelming record of 8 wins, no losses, and an earned run average of 0.75 in high school baseball.

He is considered a promising candidate to continue the lineage of special left-handed starting pitchers that has been interrupted since Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Kwang-hyun, and Yang Hyun-jong.

[Jung Hyun-woo/Kiwoom: "I want to learn from the precise control of senior Ryu Hyun-jin and the fastball performance of senior Kim Kwang-hyun, and I want to pitch with the stability of senior Yang Hyun-jong."]

Jung Hyun-woo, who left a strong impression by confidently dancing during his first meeting with the first-team seniors, named Doosan's Yang Eui-ji, known as 'the fox in a bear's disguise,' as the batter he most wants to face.

[Jung Hyun-woo/Kiwoom: "Since he is an experienced catcher, I think just competing against him will be a great experience, so I definitely want to face him."]

Kiwoom, known as a training ground for producing major leaguers, has chosen the special prospect Jung Hyun-woo. He says he learned about the mindset and attitude of a rookie from his meeting with Lee Jung-hoo last month, and vowed to perform well in his debut season.

[Jung Hyun-woo/Kiwoom: "I want to work hard to become a player representing Korean baseball by following the seniors. I want to be a pitcher known for consistency."]

This is KBS News, Ha Mu-rim.