I want to become a starting pitcher representing the Dodgers.”
Can another Korean ace succeed the lineage of ‘Korean Express’ Park Chan-ho and ‘Korean Monster’ Ryu Hyun-jin (Toronto Blue Jays)? Super high school level right-handed pitcher Jang Hyun-seok (19, Masan Yongmago), who declared a challenge to the American professional baseball Major League (MLB), threw a ticket to the US stage wearing a LA Dodgers uniform.
At the LA Dodgers press conference held at the Dragon City Hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on the 14th, Jang Hyun-seok said, “Honestly, I didn’t know I would sign a contract, but it is an honor to wear a (Dodgers) uniform like this. He watched over me for a long time and showed interest in me,” he said. “When we had the meeting, I analyzed past and present videos and explained them well. The Dodgers is a team familiar and familiar to Koreans. I chose the Dodgers because they are known to be the best at nurturing pitchers out of 30 clubs,” he explained the reason for choosing the Dodgers along with his impressions of joining.
Prior to the full-scale press conference, a congratulatory video was released by Los Angeles Dodgers President Andrew Dreadman, Vice President Gaylan Kerr, and Minor League Pitching Director Rob Hill. In one voice, they said, “Welcome to the Dodgers family and think of a bright future. I want to be with him in America as soon as possible,” he said, welcoming Jang Hyun-seok.
Jang Hyun-seok, who has a physique of 190 cm and 90 kg, throws a fast ball with a maximum speed of 157 km per hour, and is evaluated for his excellent ability to use curveballs and sliders. He showed his best performance this year with 3 wins (undefeated) 0.93 earned run average and 52 strikeouts in 9 games (29 innings) in the high school stage. If he submitted an application for the domestic professional baseball rookie draft to be held in September, the first place would have been certain, but Jang Hyun-suk chose to challenge the American stage.
The Los Angeles Dodgers spared no effort and investment for a long time to recruit Jang Hyun-seok. Moreover, when the Dodgers had no room in the international amateur bonus pool (the maximum amount of contracts for international players allocated to each club) this year, they succeeded in capturing Hyun-seok Jang by securing funds through trade with prospects. This shows that the Dodgers are serious about recruiting Jang Hyun-seok. And Jang Hyun-seok became the third Korean pitcher to wear a Dodgers uniform, following Park Chan-ho (uniform number 61) and Ryu Hyun-jin (universal number 99). Jang Hyun-seok’s uniform number is 18.
Regarding his uniform number, Jang Hyun-seok said, “It’s not the number I chose (laughs),” and handed the microphone to John Debble Dodgers Pacific Region Scouting Director, who also attended the press conference. Director John Dibble said, “I had to make a special production because time was running out. I thought number 18 was a favorite number for Asian pitchers, so I wore number 18.”
Jang Hyun-seok is aiming for the big league stage while undergoing the Dodgers’ high-level training process in the minor leagues. No one knows how long it will take. However, Jang Hyun-seok’s will toward the major leagues is great.
He said, “It would be nice to get up (to the major leagues) quickly, but I think I have to go and see how it goes. He could be injured and I don’t know how many years it will take. Still, he wants to be a player like Clayton Kershaw. Kershaw is the long-throwing first-time ace for the Dodgers. I also want to become a player like Kershaw because I have a lot of desire to become a starting pitcher.”메이저사이트
At the same time, he did not hide his greed for the major league stage. He is determined to become a starting pitcher like Park Chan-ho and Ryu Hyun-jin. Jang Hyun-seok said, “My goal is to go to the major leagues as soon as possible,” and “I want to become a starting pitcher for the Dodgers like Park Chan-ho and Ryu Hyun-jin.”
When asked if there is a nickname that he particularly wants to connect Korean Express and Korean Monster, he said, “I haven’t thought about it. I hope the fans will give me a good nickname,” he smiled broadly.
How about ‘Korean Middle Break’? The challenge on the American stage may not be easy. ‘The important thing is an unbreakable heart’. We support Hyun-seok Jang so that he can achieve his grand dream of playing in the big leagues.