Kim Taeyeon “Honored to be mentioned together, will pitch accordingly”
A 2005 rookie and a 1982 veteran are proving that age is just a number.
Doosan Bears rookie pitcher Kim Taek-yeon (19) has had a variety of experiences since turning pro this year. He has moved from the middle of the rotation to the closer’s role. He has been able to secure wins with a sense of stability that is uncharacteristic of a rookie. He also participated in the All-Star Game, a star-studded event. He spent valuable time on the same team as the 23-year-old closer Oh Seung-hwan (42-Samsung Lions).
Kim joined Chung Chul-won and Hong Gun-hee as Doosan’s backup this season. It became official on the 13th of last month. Since then, he’s accumulated six saves in eight games. In total, he finished the first half with a 2-4 record, eight saves and a 2.35 ERA in 38 games and 38⅓ innings pitched.
His performance earned him a strong showing in the All-Star fan voting. He received 1,352,257 votes, good for fourth overall. On the players’ ballot, he was the top vote-getter with 211 of the 322 total votes. With a total of 48.83 points, he finished first in the Dream All-Star Middle Pitcher category. He became just the fifth high school rookie ever to be named to the All-Star Best 12, and the second pitcher to be honored since LG Twins’ Jung Woo-young in 2019.
Reflecting on the first half of the All-Star Game, Kim said, “There were a lot of good moments and some difficult moments, and I think I was able to get here thanks to those difficult moments.” “I think the second half will be really tough and even more difficult, so I need to prepare well. We shouldn’t be satisfied that we have survived so far,” he concluded.
“I think I’m okay with it. It’s an important role, so I go to the mound with a lot of responsibility, and those situations are fun, but there are also a lot of difficult parts.” Kim added, “I could lose a game because of me. That position is the closer. There is definitely pressure,” he said, adding, “I think the hitters’ focus is different in the ninth inning. That’s why it’s difficult,” Kim added.
I asked him who was the hardest hitter he’s ever faced. Kim replied, “They were all so difficult. It’s hard to pick one,” she said, adding, “But I don’t think I have a weak 먹튀검증 heart. I think I have a strong heart,” he laughed.
Is there a difference between a set-up man and a closer? Kim said, “I try to pitch the same no matter what situation I’m in. I don’t think there’s a big difference. I’m just pitching the same way I’ve always pitched,” Kim smiled.
In the All-Star Game, he was briefly teamed with the league’s most veteran closer, Seung-Hwan Oh. Seung-hwan Oh was born in 1982 and is still working as a closer despite being past his prime. This season, he led the league with 24 saves in the first half.
“I have a lot of questions for Seung-hwan Oh. I want to know if he has a secret or a special way to be a long-lasting closer. I also want to learn how to take care of my body so that I can play baseball for a long time,” she says with a twinkle in her eye.
Oh Seung-hwan’s specialty is his fastball. Kim Taek-yeon also utilizes a powerful fastball that exceeds 150 km/h as his main weapon. He is considered to be the next pitcher after Oh Seung-hwan. “It’s an honor just to be mentioned alongside your name,” Kim said, “and I have to pitch worthy of such talk. “I will prepare well to show a lot of good pitches so that I can continue to be called that,” he said.
Speaking about the younger pitchers, Oh said, “The young guys are learning really well. Their mindset is very good,” he said.
The youngest and oldest closers will continue to guard the team’s back door in the second half.