Right-handed pitcher Jang Jae-young (21, Kiwoom), who has been in his third year of debut, has recently been accumulating experience step by step going back and forth between the starter and the bullpen. He is going through an adjustment period because he has not yet established himself as a starting pitcher.
Jang Jae-young,토토사이트 a native of Deoksu High School, joined Kiwoom as the first pick in the 2021 rookie draft. He drew attention by receiving a down payment of 900 million won, the highest amount ever for a rookie at the club and second in the KBO League.
However, Jang Jae-young’s performance was below expectations. In the first season of his debut, he appeared in 19 games and had a poor performance with 1 loss and an earned run average of 9.17. The following year, he pitched in 14 games, posting a 7.71 earned run average with no wins, no holds, and no saves.
After the 2022 season, Jang Jae-young moved to Geelong Korea of the Australian League (ABL) and prepared for the next season with an attitude of fierce referee. After showing rapid growth during the off-season, he was dropped as Kiwoom’s 5th starter.
In the past two seasons, Jang Jae-young started only two games. Nevertheless, coach Hong Won-ki of Kiwoom saw Jae-young Jang’s potential as high and boldly included him in the starting lineup.
Jae-Young Jang had a hard time establishing himself in the starting lineup early in the season. On April 6, his first start of the season, he lost two games in a row against LG, and then went through adjustments in the second team for two months. On June 4, he returned to the starting mound through the SSG match, but the number of pitches was limited to around 60.
Jang Jae-young, who gradually increased the number of pitches, won his first start in an impressive debut against NC on July 5th. He pitched 5⅓ innings with 2 hits, 4 walks, 7 strikeouts and no runs, leading the team to a 2-0 victory. He had the pleasure of becoming the winning pitcher in seven games all season.
Jang Jae-young seemed to be gradually establishing himself as a starting pitcher. However, after taking a 5-day break, he moved to a bullpen pitcher against kt on July 11th. He got on the mound in the top of the 8th inning, trailing 1 to 4, and held one inning scoreless. It was Jang Jae-young’s first relief appearance this season.
At the time, coach Hong explained, “As the bullpen has weakened recently, the range of use of Jang Jae-young can be widened.” He added, “Ahn Woo-jin also went through the middle and final stages. It must have been a good experience for Jang Jae-young as well.” Afterwards, Jang Jae-young made another relief mound against kt on July 13 (three innings and three runs) and finished the first half.
After entering the second half, Jang Jae-young again started as a starting pitcher against Hanwha on July 25th. At that time, he performed well with 3 runs in 5 innings.
However, in the game against Samsung on July 30, he gave up 6 points in ⅔ innings and was knocked out early. He gave up only one hit, but allowed as many as six balls, and showed extreme difficulty in controlling, such as being sent off for a head shot by hitting Kim Ji-chan’s head in a crisis with 2 outs loaded.
As a result, Jang Jae-young moved back to the bullpen and regained a sense of stability by making two relief appearances. He played well against LG on the 1st (1 scoreless inning) and 2nd (⅔ innings scoreless).
2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League LG and Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 3rd of the last game of the 3-game series. Before the game, coach Hong explained how Jang Jae-young was recently appointed.
Coach Hong explained, “After the early steeling against Samsung on the 30th of last month, we appointed Jang Jae-young as a relief pitcher with the concept of rebalancing.” He continued, “There were a few walks, but they didn’t shake much.”
This is Jang Jae-young, who is gaining experience by going back and forth between the starter and the bullpen. Manager Hong said, “I prepared for the season as a starting pitcher, and came up to the first team through readjustment.” He said, “Jae-young Jang gradually increased the number of pitches by throwing 3 to 4 innings, which is the process for Jang Jae-young to settle down as a starting pitcher.” He added, “I hope that such a precious process will not be in vain, and I think it will continue to improve.”
Jang Jae-young is scheduled to return as a starting pitcher for the NC game on the 5th. Director Hong said, “I don’t know if he can handle long innings, but he will have no trouble getting to the mound.”