“You’re a fool if you’re not greedy”

“I am the one with the greatest greed!”

The Wizards Corps has almost no power gap ahead of the 2024 season. Some say it has become more solid, but there are still problems to be solved. As off-season closing pitcher Kim Jae-yoon (34) qualified as a free agent and left for Samsung, the vacancy must be filled.

As KT is called the ‘Kingdom of Pitchers’, there are a number of candidates. Among them, the person who seems most likely to be the ‘post-Kim Jae-yoon’ is Park Young-hyeon (21), a third-year player. He did not hide his desire to become the starting pitcher.

In a recent phone call with Sports Seoul, Park Young-hyun said, “Finishing? You’d be a fool if you weren’t greedy (laughs). “I’m probably the one who is most greedy,” he said. “That’s why I’m preparing well now. “If the opportunity comes, I definitely want to grab it,” he said emphatically. He then added, “I am preparing step by step with the same routine as last year.”

It is already a proven resource. He had 3 wins, 3 losses, 4 saves, 32 holds, and a 2.75 earned run average in 68 games last season. Park Young-hyun, who ranked first in the hold category, also won the league’s youngest hold king title. In addition, he performed well at the Hangzhou Asian Games, where he wore the Taegeuk symbol, and contributed to winning the gold medal. Thanks to his superb performance, he also had a busy time at the year-end awards ceremony.

He said, “I think last season was perfect. However, after looking back, he said, “It would have been more perfect if he had won,” and added, “I think it was a good thing that he finished without injury. He also won the King of Holds,” he said. He said, “I thought I had a hard time last year, so I took a good rest. “I replenished my physical strength by eating well and sleeping well,” he said.

“Honestly, I’m most disappointed that we didn’t win the (Korean Series). Park Young-hyun, who said, “I feel like I’m still lacking,” added, “This season is the most important to me. “I think it will be a meaningful season because there are still vacancies left and it is a new beginning,” he said.

Despite taking a short break, he is not neglecting personal training. He is preparing for spring training. KT will train at the injured base from February 1st to 22nd and then move to Okinawa, Japan on the 23rd for actual training until March 6th.

Park Young-hyun said, “I am building his body by focusing on personal training. He will soon begin training on skills such as playing catch. “I think I need to prepare well for the start of camp,” he said. “I plan to talk with the coaches during camp to correct any mistakes and make up for any shortcomings.” “We will definitely prepare for the season,” he said.

KT coach Lee Kang-cheol cites Park Young-hyun’s strengths as outstanding pitching ability and innate mentality. Park Young-hyun said, “I am grateful to the director for always being kind to me. In fact, he didn’t care about mental health. “It becomes a habit without me even knowing,” he said, and pledged, “I will prepare well and become a pitcher who can block well in any situation.”

When asked about his personal goals, he said, “I haven’t set any specific goals yet. He likes to take things step by step, so he tries to think things through slowly. “I am also thinking about how I will survive the long season,” he said, adding, “Last year was a bit of a disappointing season, but I will prepare well this year and achieve better results.” kmg@sportsseoul.com

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