Left-handed pitcher Jeong Hyun-soo (22), who gained popularity by playing as a promising star on the general programming channel JTBC's sports entertainment program 'Best Baseball', expressed his ambition to become an ace in Sajik, Busan, wearing the Lotte Giants uniform. As he is receiving more attention as a college graduate, which is rare in the Korean Professional Baseball (KBO), he expressed his strong determination to be evaluated based on his true skills. On the 19th, I met him in person at the Lotte Giants Sangdong Baseball Stadium in Sangdong-myeon, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsangnam-do and heard about his recent situation.

“Last season, I lost some strength after throwing a lot of balls during the college league and TV program appearances. Since joining the Lotte club, he has focused on weight training and improving his physical strength. In addition to the basic training at camp, we always go out for self-practice at night. “I practice so hard that when I lie down on the bed after training, I almost faint and fall asleep immediately.”

Jeong Hyun-soo, who is 180cm tall and has a sturdy physique weighing 83kg, is a local born and raised in Busan. He played baseball in Busan all the way from Daeyeon Elementary School, Busan Middle School, and Busan High School. He was a pitcher until middle school, but changed his position to a fielder at Busan High School. Afterwards, he returned as a pitcher, but only pitched 2 and 1/3 innings. In the end, he did not receive any attention from professional clubs, so he went on to Songwon University in Gwangju Metropolitan City. In fact, Hyunsoo Jeong, who started playing as a pitcher in college, became the team's starting pitcher in his second year.

“He originally played as a pitcher and then a fielder, but he was not drafted as a pro, so he decided to try pitching again, which is what he wanted to do in college. “Originally, my curve was very slow, but around the end of my second year, my curve started to get better, and the number of strikeouts increased, and I think I’ve gotten to where I am thanks to that.”

A left-handed pitcher, Jung Hyun-soo's main weapons are a fastball with a speed of low to mid 140 km, curve, slider, and change-up. He makes good use of the so-called ‘waterfall curve’, which drops sharply from the strike zone, as a winning pitch. In 2022, he appeared in 19 games in the college league, posting a record of 10 wins, 1 loss, and a 3.58 earned run average. He was also referred to as 'Dr. K' as he struck out 129 batters in 83 1/3 innings.

Last year, he appeared in the entertainment program 'Best Baseball' while appearing in 13 games, recording 4 wins, 2 losses, and an ERA of 2.00. He struck out 87 batters in 54 innings and received love calls from KBO scouts. As the best left-handed college graduate, being selected by Lotte in the second round of the 2024 rookie draft seems like a natural conclusion.

Luck followed. I met former coach ‘Yasin’ Kim Seong-geun (82) on ‘Best Baseball’. “It really helped me a lot. Especially towards Jegu. He realized that detailed control was important rather than just throwing in the strike zone. I think it allowed him to pitch well in the program. “I’m still practicing to be able to throw hard where I want, just like Coach Kim said.”

I also experienced his professional stage indirectly by appearing on the pitch in the Education League’s own Blue and White match. At the time, pitching coach Joo Hyung-kwang said, “I heard a lot about (Jung Hyun-soo) from those around him, and he pitches well. “We need to watch him in action, but he seems to have good game management skills,” he said.

There was something unfortunate recently. Jeon Mir, who joined the team, was included in the 12-member starting pitching team for training camp in Guam at the end of this month, but Jeong Hyun-soo was left out. Jeong Hyun-soo, who has a positive mind, is determined to use missing the Guam spring camp as an opportunity to turn around at Sangdong Baseball Stadium.

“It is true that I envy (the players who go to field training). I think it's because I'm still not good enough. “I will get in good shape and improve my skills so that I can receive great opportunities in the future.”

The goal this year is, of course, to join the first team. I am quietly training to seize the opportunity when it comes. “(Rookie camp) was difficult at first, but now I’m getting used to it. My goal is to stand on Sajik Mound. I have to do my best to seize the opportunity when it comes. I will do my best to train so that I have no regrets. “I will do my best to show a good performance in the first team.”

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