155 kilometers per hour.
Hanwha Eagles’ Kim “Gojoluki” Seo-hyun (19) 메이저사이트 started against the Hanshin Tigers in the Miyazaki Phoenix League on Wednesday, giving up two runs on four hits and two walks in three innings.
His fastball topped out at 155 kilometers. The fastball caught the attention of Japanese baseball officials. Japanese media reported that Kim made an impact with his fastball.
Tokyo Sports, a Japanese sports publication, described Kim as “the No. 1 prospect in the KBO draft who joined Hanwha with a fastball that reached 161 kilometers. At the U18 World Cup, he struck out Shogo Asano with a 156-kilometer-per-hour two-seam fastball, creating a buzz.
Asano is a right-handed outfielder who was selected by Yomiuri with the first overall pick in the 2023 draft. He appeared in 24 games this season, batting 2-for-5 (10-for-40) with one home run and two RBIs. He is being developed as the next big hitter.
Kim Seo-hyun hit a single up the middle off Shota Morishita (23) in the first inning with runners on first and second. Morishita is Hanshin’s No. 1 pick in 2023. He joined the organization after graduating from Chuo University and batted .237 (79-for-377) with 10 home runs and 41 RBIs in 94 games in his rookie season.
“I wanted to go for the fastball, but he threw a curveball and got a hit,” Kim said.
Hanshin won the Central League title this season. Climax Series in the Phoenix League (postseason)
Hanwha’s Kim Seo-hyun pitches. Photo credit: Hanwha Eagles
Preparing for the final stage. Hanshin will face the winner of the First Stage between the league’s second-place Hiroshima Carp and third-place Yokohama BayStars in the Final Stage for a spot in the Japan Series.
In an interview with Japanese media, Kim cited Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Orix Buffaloes) as his favorite Japanese players. He also revealed that he knew he wanted to play in Japan rather than the major leagues since he was in high school.
Kim appeared in 20 games for the first team this season, pitching 22⅓ innings. She had one save and a 7.25 ERA. After the August 17 game against the NC Dinos, he was sent down to the Futures League (second team) to prepare for next season.
Hanwha formed a joint team with Samsung to participate in the Miyazaki Phoenix League in Japan. Moon Hyun-bin, Lee Jin-young, Kim In-hwan, and others will depart for Miyazaki after the pennant race ends.