Dodgers prospect trying to fit in with S. Korean nat'l baseball team

As the only high school pitcher on the South Korean Asian Games baseball team, teen prospect Jang Hyun-seok is trying to find his bearings among veterans, with the continental competition fast approaching.
The 19-year-old from Masan Yongma High School is the only amateur for South Korea bound for Hangzhou, China. He may be short on experience, but he isn't short on talent, as attested by his recent signing with the Los Angeles Dodgers. And nearly touching 160 kph (99.4 mph) with a fastball can help anyone fit in nicely with any team.
"It's all very new to me, and I am pretty nervous around these guys," Jang told reporters after the national team's first practice at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Saturday. "I feel a bit lost, but I am trying my best to get settled in."
Jang said his older teammates have gone out of their way to help him adjust. In particular, the Hanwha Eagles' flamethrower Moon Dong-ju, just about three months Jang's senior, has taken the fellow fireballer under his wings.
"I still feel a bit awkward here, but no matter what my role will be, I will try to do the best I can," Jang said. "I am really happy to be wearing the national team uniform. I felt pretty good in my recent game, too."
In a scrimmage against another high school last week, Jang struck out 10 batters in five innings.
Jang is also trying to pick other pitchers' brains about their pitches. He has talked to LG Twins closer Go Woo-suk about a hard slider and also tried to learn how to throw a splitter from Lotte Giants pitcher Na Gyun-an, a fellow Masan Yongma grad.
"I also want to learn how they handle different hitters and how they manage games," Jang added. "Since I am representing the country, the goal is obviously to win the gold medal."
South Korea will try to win its fourth straight baseball title in Hangzhou. (Yonhap)
相关文章
Chief justice seat at top court left vacant amid Assembly chaos
South Korea’s Supreme Court faces an unusual vacancy for the first time in 30 years as the National2023-10-04[Herald Interview] Forever is not impossible: Oneus aspires to global reach with 'La Dolce Vita'
Every Oneus album is a well-made package of music, story, artistry and performance. With its latest2023-10-04Scholarships to begin in October for Ukrainian students in S. Korea
South Korea's Ministry of Education will offer all Ukrainian college students in South Korea sc2023-10-04[Herald Review] ‘Carmen’ redefines iconic femme fatale as stalking victim
Breaking away from the traditional portrayal of the iconic femme fatale, Carmen, Seoul Metropolitan2023-10-04- South Korean stocks finished slightly higher Wednesday following recent sharp losses amid concerns a2023-10-04
北주민 굶어 죽어도…김여정 디오르, 최선희는 구찌 '명품 사랑'
김정은 북한 국방위원장의 여동생 김여정(왼쪽), 최선희 외무상(가운데), 현송월 선전선동부 부부장이 각각 가방을 든 모습. NK뉴스, 조선중앙통신북한 김정은 국방위원장의 러시아 방2023-10-04
最新评论