Hanwha Eagles' 'high rookie' Kim Seo-hyun (19) started against the Hanshin Tigers in the Miyazaki Phoenix League on the 12th and allowed 4 hits, 2 walks, and 2 runs in 3 innings.
The maximum speed of the fastball was 155 km. It is a fastball that Japanese baseball officials also paid attention to. Japanese media reported that Seohyun Kim left an impact with her fastball.
Tokyo Sports, a Japanese sports magazine, described Kim Seo-hyun as 'a promising player who joined Hanwha as the first pick in the KBO League's rookie draft, and recorded a maximum distance of 161 km. He introduced, “During the 18-year-old World Cup, he struck out Shogo Asano with a 156 km/h two-seam fastball, and it became a hot topic.”
Asano is a right-handed pitching outfielder selected by Yomiuri as the first pick in the 2023 draft. He appeared in 24 games this season, hitting .205 (10-for-40) with 1 home run and 2 RBIs. He is a promising player who is being nurtured as the next generation's leading hitter.
Seohyun Kim was hit by Shota Morishita (23) with a timely hit in the first inning with one out and runners on second base. Morishita is Hanshin's first-choice player in 2023. After graduating from Chuo University, he joined the team and recorded a batting average of .233, 79 hits in 377 at-bats, 10 home runs, and 41 RBIs in 94 games in his debut season.
Seohyun Kim said, “He wanted to win with a fastball, but he threw a curveball and gave up a timely hit.”
Hanshin is the Central League champion this season. Participate in the Phoenix League and participate in the Climax Series (postseason)
We are preparing for the final stage. Hanshin will face the team that won the first stage between the league's second-place Hiroshima Carp and third-place Yokohama Baystars in the final stage for the right to advance to the Japan Series.
In an interview with Japanese media, Seohyun Kim selected Shohei Otani (LA Dodgers) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Olix Buffaloes) as her favorite Japanese players. He also revealed that ever since he was in high school, he wanted to play in Japan rather than the major leagues.
Seo-Hyun Kim appeared in 20 games for the first team this season and pitched 22⅓ innings. He had 1 save and an ERA of 7.25. After the game against NC Dinos on August 17th, he went down to the Futures League (2nd team) to prepare for next year's season.
Hanwha formed a joint team with Samsung and participated in Japan's Miyazaki Phoenix League. Moon Hyun-bin, Lee Jin-young, and Kim In-hwan will depart for Miyazaki after the pennant race is over.