Byun Woo-hyuk’s long hit Pungpung, Han Seung-hyuk’s 153km bang… I already have a premonition of a win-win trade

 The transfer students who changed their uniforms are raising their pace from the spring camp. It already feels like it will be a win-win trade. 

On November 10 of last year, KIA and Hanwha made the first offseason trade. KIA traded pitchers Han Seung-hyuk (30) and Jang Ji-su (23) to Hanwha on the condition of receiving infielder Byun Woo-hyuk (23). The trade was made because the needs of KIA, which needed reinforcement of the batting line, and Hanwha, who were looking for a fastball pitcher, met. Expectations for the trade effect are growing on both sides from the spring camp preparation process. 

The potential of Byun Woo-hyuk, who joined Hanwha as the first nomination in 2019 but failed to blossom, is wriggling at KIA. On the 20th of last month (hereafter Korean time), which was his first real match, in a practice match against the national team of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in Arizona, USA, he hit a home run to Lee Eui-ri and began to break the shell. 

Even after moving to Okinawa, Japan, he is continuing a good trend with 3 hits, 1 RBI and 2 walks in 9 at-bats in 3 practice games. In the match against Samsung on the 1st, both hits were decorated with double hits, and in the match against Lotte on the 3rd, he succeeded in multi-on-base with 1 hit and 1 walk. On the 5th, Samsung Electronics also came out as a substitute and walked, going on base in 4 consecutive games. 

He showed a sense of stability in the first base defense and jumped into the competition for the starting position at once. Hwang Dae-in, first baseman, and Choi Hyung-woo, designated hitter, are threatening the position. He said to himself, “It feels like I’m starting over when I transfer. The trade motivated me. KIA wanted me, and I felt a pleasant sense of responsibility.” 

While Byun Woo-hyuk burst into long hits, Han Seung-hyuk is also steadily picking up the pace. On the 22nd of last month, he had his first real fight as a 6th relief match against the Dutch WBC national team in Arizona, USA. He had a successful opening ceremony by blocking 1 hit, 1 hit, 4 balls, 1 strikeout and no run in 1 inning. The highest speed at the time was 151 km.  토토사이트

Even after moving to Okinawa, Japan, he continued to feel secure. Han Seung-hyeok, who came to the rescue in the 6th inning of a practice game against Lotte on the 5th, pitched well with 1 hit, 1 hit, 1 walk, 1 strikeout and no run in 1 inning. He geared up with a top speed of 153 km. Following 13 pitches in his first game, this day he is also ‘cleaning’ the innings with aggressive pitches, as shown by the pitch count of only 12 pitches. 

Han Seung-hyuk, who joined KIA in the 8th overall in the 1st round in 2011, has been steadily receiving opportunities for 12 years, but did not produce the results he expected. Having reached a turning point in his new team at the age of 30, he said, “The trade is a great opportunity for me. At Daejeon Baseball Stadium, the space behind the catcher is not wide, so concentration is better. It is a good environment for me.” Compared to Woo-hyuk Byun, who is 7 years younger, he has the burden of producing results faster, but he is raising expectations for the new season with his almighty height on the Hanwha mound, regardless of starting pitcher or bullpen.  

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