“I want to play baseball healthy and not get sick for a year.”
Pitcher Cho Yi-hyeon (28), who received a notice of release from SSG Landers after the end of last season. He got a chance to make a fresh start at kt wiz through a joining test in November of last year.
In 2014, Cho Yi-hyun stepped on the professional stage after being nominated by the Hanwha Eagles in the 2nd 5th round, 47th place. Ahead of the 2016 season, he moved from Hanwha Eagles to SK Wyverns, the predecessor of SSG, as a free agent compensation player for Jung Woo-ram. After being discharged from the military and going through several years of preparation, he started to stand out in 2020. He went 2-4 in 35 games in 2020 and 4-8 with 1 save in 30 games in 2021. In 79 professional games, he recorded 6 wins, 13 losses, 1 save and an ERA of 6.27.
However, last season, due to injury, he could not play a single first team game. He ended the season after only touring the Futures League. SSG’s combined victory also had to be seen from the outside. The first year that he changed his name to Cho Yi-hyeon instead of the name Jo Young-woo, only his bitter taste was properly felt.
Having faithfully completed field training at kt, he started the opening game against Kiwoom Heroes held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 13th. It’s not a league game, but it’s been 512 days since the Lotte Giants match on October 17, 2021, when I stood on the first team mound.
He played 3 innings. It was neat. Up until the second episode, it was perfect. He did not allow a single batter to go on base. Although he gave up 3 hits in the 3rd inning and gave up 1 run, he continued to pitch impeccably except for the run scene. In the bottom of the 4th inning, he handed over the mound to Eom Sang-baek.
Cho Yi-Hyun recorded 3 hits, 4 strikeouts and 1 run in 3 innings. 40 pitches. He checked several pitches, including two-seam (12), fastball (11), forkball (10), slider (5), and curveball (2).
kt won a 2-1 come-from-behind victory, and Cho Yi-hyeon’s reverse fight was enough to lay the foundation for victory.
Cho Yi-hyun, who we met after the game, said, “I tried to throw as I thought before the game. From camp, he focused more on control than speed. The parts I am usually confident in are the fast tempo and control, so I was satisfied,” he said.
He continued, 토토사이트 “I didn’t throw a lot last year, so my speed didn’t come up easily, but overall it felt good. He also added that, rather than being nervous, it was exciting and fun to play in a baseball field with spectators after a long time.”
Just like last season, big and small injuries always came to Cho Ei-hyun. This year, playing baseball in a healthy way is Jo Yi-hyun’s simple wish.
He said, “Compared to last year, my elbow condition is fine and it is good that I can throw my ball again. There is no greed for starting pitchers. Every year there were injuries big and small. I really want to play baseball healthy without getting sick this year.”