Masan Yongma High School pitcher Jang Hyeon-seok, who officially announced his advance to the United States, made a surprise relief appearance in the second round of the Presidential Cup National High School Baseball Championship. Usually, it is common for players who declare their advance to the US not to participate in national competitions after that. However, Jang Hyun-seok revealed that he decided to compete in the national tournament for his team.
Masan Yongma High School won 10-5 in the second round of the Presidential Cup against Daegu Sangwon High School held at Mokdong Stadium in Seoul on August 4. Masan Yongma High School is scheduled to play Daejeon High School in the round of 16 at 11:30 am on the 5th at Mokdong Stadium.
On this day토토사이트, Jang Hyeon-seok made a relief mound at the end of the 8th inning, when Masan Yongma High School was ahead by a score of 10 to 1. Jang Hyun-seok showed a powerful pitch by throwing a fastball with a maximum speed of 154 km/h, a slider, and a curveball.
Masan Yongma High pitcher Jang Hyeon-seok pitched in the second round of the Presidential Cup at Mokdong Stadium on August 4. Photo (Mok-dong) = Reporter Kim Geun-han
However, the result itself was not good. Jang Hyun-seok recorded 2 hits, 2 strikeouts, 1 walk and 2 runs in 1 inning. Jang Hyeon-seok finished the mound at the end of the 8th inning and entered first base at the end of the 9th inning and digested the infield defense. It was a move by Masan Yongmago in case of emergency. Masan Yongma High pitcher Kim Hyun-bin blocked the bottom of the 9th inning scoreless, and Jang Hyun-seok did not make an additional appearance.
Jang Hyun-seok, who met with reporters after the game, said, “I think the results of today’s appearance were insufficient for my preparation. I didn’t throw the ball very much after the Blue Dragon Games, but I never imagined it would be this bad. Forget today’s game as today, and there’s a game tomorrow, so I’ll focus on that.”
Usually, student athletes who have declared to advance to the US do not participate in national competitions after that. However, Jang Hyun-seok emphasized that he decided to participate in the Presidential Cup for his team.
Jang Hyun-seok said, “For his team, he decided to pitch in the Presidential Cup. I couldn’t have thrown it if I thought of it alone, but I wanted to make a good final result with my friends. The team takes precedence over the individual. I said that to the coach, so I came to the mound today. I want to throw well in the remaining presidential cup games and win the championship cup.”
Masan Yongma High School pitcher Jang Hyeon-seok throws a pitch in relief in the second round of the Presidential Cup held at Mokdong Stadium on August 4. Photo (Mok-dong) = Reporter Kim Geun-han
On August 1st, Jang Hyun-suk officially announced his challenge on the American stage through his agency. The first round of the KBO rookie draft, where Jang Hyun-seok was gone, also fell into the fog. Regarding the reason for choosing his major league challenge, Jang Hyun-seok revealed that it was because of his ‘dream to reach the best stage in the world’.
Jang Hyun-seok said, “I wanted to play in both Korea and the United States, but my last dream was to play in the world’s best stage, the major leagues. He wanted to take on a challenge. I want to go to America and work hard to get on the mound in the major leagues as soon as possible. Rather than feeling burdened by the reactions around me, I try not to care and focus only on the task given in front of me,” he nodded.
When asked about role models, Jang Hyun-seok said, “I often watch and learn from and reference videos of major league pitchers. In particular, he likes Darvish and sees him often. He tries to refer to his pitching form or his short, strong arm swing. Among domestic players, I would like to pick senior Moon Dong-ju as a role model. It looks cool to digest not only the restraint, but also the role of the first native ace in the Hanwha Eagles.”
Jang Hyun-seok will join the baseball team of the Hangzhou Asian Games at the end of September to challenge for the gold medal. If he wears a gold medal around his neck, he can gain greater wings to challenge in the major leagues along with exemption from military service.
Jang Hyun-seok said, “When I was in school, I had no luck with the national team, but he was so happy to be selected for the Asian Games team. I want to show the most confident pitching on the national team mound. I will learn a lot from the seniors of the national team,” he nodded.
Lastly, Jang Hyun-seok said, “If I go to the United States, I will definitely have some regrets because I have to be away from my family. Still, I have to put up with it because I have to work really hard as a baseball player. If you’ve come this far, you have to make a living through baseball and succeed. I want to go to America and become the best player in the world.”