2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) Korean national baseball team submarine ace Ko Young-pyo (32, KT Wiz) sends a message to Keystone duo Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) and Tommy Edman (28, St. Louis Cardinals) told
Koh Young-pyo started in a practice game against SSG Landers’ 2nd team held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 3rd and pitched 3 innings, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts and no runs. He pitched three innings of no-hitter, allowing no hits.
Ko Young-pyo, who showed off his good condition from the US field training, made the national team smile by continuing his good fight in the evaluation match held in Korea. Koh Young-pyo is highly likely to start as a starting pitcher in the match against Australia in the first round of the final round.
After the game, Koh Young-pyo said, “I think I’m ready now. Since I came to Korea, my balance has improved. Since I played in a dome stadium, it was less dry, so it was definitely easier to use the official ball.”
If he goes as a starting pitcher as expected, how will he handle the game? Koh Young-pyo said, “I have to pitch the pitch I prepared. If I set too many goals, I feel burdened and nervous. Like today, I have to throw a lot of strikes and make use of my strengths such as change-up and ball control to induce a hit. If these parts go well, I will have a good game. I think I can do it. I try to work with the mindset of blocking one batter at a time.” 스포츠토토
Ko Young-pyo is the pitcher who induces the second most ground balls in the KBO league after Jung Woo-young (24, LG Twins). That’s why a solid infield defense must be backed up. Behind Koh Young-pyo, Kim Ha-seong and Edmon, the ‘major leaguer duo’ who are called the strongest keystone combination in the history of the Korean baseball team, are holding out.
Ko Young-pyo showed his faith, saying, “They are players who play in the big leagues. I’ve seen them defend a lot. I think they can induce a ground ball with confidence. They have the skills to make you feel strong.”
Then, Ko Young-pyo sent a message to the Keystone duo. He smiled and said, “I will trust (the Keystone Combi) and induce a lot of ground balls with a two-seam fastball.
Koh Young-pyo remembers the humiliation of the no-medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I am trying to get rid of the pain through this WBC. Koh Young-pyo said, “I was disappointed with my balance at the time, but I will show a better figure in this competition. I think my form improved a lot in the last match. I want to pitch more solidly than in the Olympics in this competition. I will try to pitch well.” promised that