Sidearm pitcher Lee Chae-ho (24), who appeared like a comet in the 2022 season and established himself as the core of kt Pil Seung-jo, is preparing for the new season with a more reliable appearance.
Lee Chae-ho started his professional life after being nominated by SK (now SSG) with the 55th pick in the 2nd round of the 6th round of the 2018 rookie draft. After failing to step on the first team stage in his debut season, he enlisted on active duty in December of that year, and did not stand out, such as only appearing in 3 games in the 2021 season after being discharged.
However, after opening a new nest in kt through a trade in May of last year, a turning point in baseball life was reached. Lee Chae-ho recorded 5 wins, 3 holds, and an ERA of 2.95 in 38 games, showing off his talent to the fullest 5 years after his debut.
He had an unforgettable season from his first year after moving to kt. Lee Chae-ho, who we met at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do on the 13th, said, “I was very nervous because it was the first time I’ve ever pitched for such a long time in the first team.” .
It was a noticeable growth compared to the 2021 season spent at SSG. Lee Chae-ho explained the secret of the rebound, “I was very nervous during the demonstration game at the time, and my mentality collapsed after making a mistake.”
He showed rapid growth under the personal guidance of kt coach Lee Kang-cheol, who was famous as a sidearm legend. In particular, coach Lee’s correction of Lee Chae-ho’s pitching form during the season had a great effect.
Lee Chae-ho said, 바카라사이트 “I originally used a windup, but the coach said that I had better balance in a set position, so I modified my pitching form.” We got good results,” he said. He then expressed his gratitude, saying, “It was luck to come to kt and meet the director.”
However, it was difficult to manage my stamina because it was my first full-time season. On October 19 last year, he experienced his first fall baseball by pitching in the third game of the semi-playoff against Kiwoom (1 1 run in 1⅓ innings) and experiencing his first fall baseball. Lee Chae-ho said, “I lost a lot of balance in the second half,” and regretted, “I think I couldn’t manage my physical strength properly because it was my first full season.”
Accordingly, Lee Chae-ho is focusing on physical training ahead of the new season. He is doing what he calls ‘bulking up’ this year to build up his muscle mass in order to throw longer innings and toss for longer. He explained, “There was a part that was physically difficult in the second half of last year, so I’m trying to make up for it.”
During the season, he revealed his greed for selection, but now he is determined to faithfully play the role of Pilseungjo. Lee Chae-ho laughed and said, “If you look at kt’s starting lineup now, there’s absolutely no place for me to enter.” He continued, “I don’t think I’ve fully settled in the bullpen yet. I’m aiming to play an active role as a winning group for a long time in the new season as well.”
Ahead of the new season, he also carefully brought out his greed for his records. Lee Chae-ho said, “I want to challenge the hold king in my current position. First of all, I am preparing for this year’s goal with a double-digit hold.”