SEOUL: Doosan Bears closer Kim Taek-yeon, at just 19 years old, has quickly made a name for himself in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), boasting impressive stats like a 2.08 ERA and 19 saves in his debut season. Despite this success, Kim remains focused on further improving his game, particularly in developing his pitch arsenal to better handle left-handed batters.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim, who was a significant contributor to the Bears reaching the wild card game, is already preparing for the next season. Known for his fastball and slider, he plans to enhance his curveball and possibly introduce a new third pitch. ‘I want to sharpen my second and third pitches during the offseason,” Kim stated. This comes after a season where he recorded 78 strikeouts in 65 innings, catching the eye of many as a potential Rookie of the Year.
Kim’s performance was particularly notable after a rocky start to the season, with a 7.71 ERA in his first three outings. However, he quickly adapted, ending the seas
on with a much-improved ERA of 1.87 after excluding these early games. His resilience and ability to improve were evident as he took over as the team’s closer in June, showcasing a maturity beyond his years on the mound.
Despite his young age, Kim demonstrated remarkable composure and a strong mental game, crucial for his role in closing tight matches. “Being in tough situations forced me to stay focused, and getting key strikeouts helped me with my confidence,” he reflected. This mindset helped him average 10.8 strikeouts per nine innings and maintain one of the highest strikeout percentages among relievers.
Looking ahead, Kim is expected to join the South Korean national team for the upcoming World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier12 tournament, an opportunity he relishes to further test and refine his skills against international players. “Just because my fastballs worked in the KBO, it doesn’t mean they will work at the Premier12,” Kim acknowledged, indicating his readiness to adapt and grow.