Will another 160km appear? 먹튀검증
Moon Dong-ju (20), a monster pitcher of the Hanwha Eagles, opened a monumental 160km era in Korean professional baseball history. In the match against the KIA Tigers held at the Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 12th, he threw a 160.1km ball against Park Chan-ho in the first inning. It was the first Korean 160 km since the launch of professional baseball in 1982.
According to the existing KBO official speed standard, Choi Dae-seong, who retired from Lotte, recorded 158.7 km in 2012. Kiwoom An Woo-jin’s 158.4 km followed. Moon Dong-ju became the first native pitcher to record 160km, and became the highest speed holder. Now that it is in its second year, it is poised to renew the KBO’s highest speed of 162.1 km, which Redames Leeds recorded during his LG days.
Moon Dong-joo said, “I built my body well during the off-season and camp, and I think it is a record that shows that I am in good condition. 160km is a record that no one can record. I will do it,” he said.
Moon Dong-ju is still incomplete. He is likely to surpass Leeds and set the KBO’s top speed. On this day, Moon Dong-ju recorded 3 hits, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts and 2 runs in 6 innings. His control has also improved, and he even showed his ability to digest innings. He threw a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup, boasting four-pitch perfection.
An interesting point is that Hanhwa may have two pitchers with a distance of 160 km. Kim Seo-hyun, who entered the 2023 KBO draft with the first overall pick, also has the potential to throw 160 km. He was shot with a speed gun up to 158 km in demonstration races. Like Moon Dong-ju, his fastball power is monster-level.
His first opening started with the Futures team. Like Moon Dong-ju last year, it seems that he will go through a training process to improve his control and increase his speed. He has no choice but to speed up if he digests solid professional training such as weight training. If they chase after their senior and hit 160km, Hanwha will have two 160km pitchers.
In addition, Kiwoom Ahn Woo-jin, who has emerged as the best pitcher in Korea, and Jang Jae-young, a promising pitcher, are also expected to join the speed competition. In the WBC tournament last March, Korea suffered a humiliating 3 consecutive elimination. Japan won the championship with Shohei Otani and Roki Sasaki throwing 160km. There were also numerous pitchers in the late 150km range. It was hard to keep an envious gaze. Another 160km monster pitcher is needed not only for Hanwha, but also for the restoration of baseball honor in Korea.