In the first place, the possibility was not high. In the end, one interesting confrontation in terms of sights was erased.
As expected, KIA will set up foreign pitcher Sean Anderson as the starting pitcher for the opening match against SSG on the 1st of next month. For SSG, Kim Gwang-hyun, a native ace, will play. If KIA coach Kim Jong-guk sent Yang Hyeon-jong, the ‘great pitcher’, to the opening match, a face-to-face confrontation with ‘Gwang Hyeon-jong’ would be concluded. It was a card that fans of both teams secretly expected.
However, it was not easy for Yang Hyeon-jong to appear in the opening game in the first place. This is because the process of building up the number of pitches was later than that of other starting pitchers because he was competing for the WBC. Yang Hyeon-jong was a good move with 7⅓ innings, 6 hits, 9 strikeouts, 2 walks, 3 runs, and an average ERA of 3.68 in 2 demonstration games.
On the 25th, the number of pitches against Gwangju NC was 80. Considering that usually the starting pitcher is waiting for the opening with the number of pitches set to around 90 in the demonstration game, it was slightly lacking. Of course, Yang Hyeon-jong takes care of his body thoroughly, such as bullpen pitching on his own after the steel plate. Even so메이저놀이터, he could not unreasonably entrust the opening game to a pitcher who reached 80 pitches in the actual game.
As a result, KIA is expected to have 5 starters with Anderson, Adonis Medina, Yang Hyeon-jong, Lee Eui-ri, and Yoon Young-cheol. The order of Medina and Yang Hyeon-jong may change. Manager Kim Jong-guk is in the position that Yang Hyeon-jong and Lee Eui-ri should manage the number of pitches at around 90 at the beginning of the season. Yoon Young-cheol is a rookie who is less calculated. This is why Anderson’s shoulders are heavy.
Just before the opening of the KIA, the atmosphere of the team is disturbed due to the dismissal of former general manager Jang Jeong-seok due to misconduct related to contract negotiations with Park Dong-won. What can put this to rest is grades. In order to gain momentum in the ranking battle with a stable race from April, first starter Anderson’s share is expected to be quite important.
Right away, he will be evaluated for his true ability through a head-to-head confrontation with Kwang-Hyun Kim, who represents the KBO League. Anderson’s starting schedule is expected to be against Doosan in Gwangju on the 7th of next month, against Hanwha in Gwangju on the 13th, against Lotte in Busan on the 19th, against NC in Gwangju on the 25th, and against LG in Jamsil on the 30th. If the confrontation with the first starters continues, Raul Alcantara (Doosan), Birch Smith (Hanwha), Dan Straley (Lotte), Eric Paddy (NC), and Casey Kelly (LG) will meet one after another. It seems that how much victory will be given to the team here will have a significant impact on KIA’s April race.
Also, Anderson’s exhibition pace was quite good. 15 innings in 3 games, 10 hits, 12 strikeouts, 7 walks, 4 runs (2 ERA), 1.20 ERA. In particular, it was quite impressive that he pulled out 10 strikeouts in the Gwangju NC game on the 26th. He mixed a slider, curve, and changeup with a fastball in the early 150km range. Unlike the previous two games, there was little ups and downs by inning.