It has great potential, but it takes some time” Dinosaurs’ 154km Fireballer is still 19 years old
“Wow, the potential is extraordinary.”
NC Dinos coach Kang In-kwon, whom I met recently, said this about right-handed fireballer Shin Young-woo (19). A special rookie who graduated from Gyeongnam High School and was selected as the 4th pick in the first round in 2023. However, he failed to make it to the first team this season. He started the season in the second team after recording an earned run average of 3.00 in two exhibition games.
His Futures League record is 3 wins, 7 losses, and an average ERA of 6.14 in 17 games. What stands out about him is that he appeared in 16 of the 17 games as a starting pitcher. This means that NC is nurturing Shin Young-woo as a future starting pitcher. Of course. His fastball speed, which was in the high 140 km/h range during his second year of high school, steadily rose to the low 150 km/h range during his senior year of high school.
Last year, he surprised the Monsters seniors by recording 154km on JTBC’s entertainment program Strongest Baseball. Even in the second team this season, the ball was lightly hit in the mid-150km range. According to his profile, he only weighs 84kg, but throwing this much of a ball is an incredible talent.
This season’s Futures League hitting percentage was only 0.197. However, the problem was the jagged control and command. He had 83 strikeouts and 97 walks while pitching 66 innings. Walks are a direct cause of the high ERA. Because the arm swing is fast, the release point may be inconsistent or there may be a problem with pitching balance.
Director Kang In-kwon said, “Wow, the potential is extraordinary.” However, he said, “I think it will still take some time.” Of course, you can wait long enough. Restraint is not the only weapon. Age is also a weapon. Neither Ahn Woo-jin (24, Kiwoom Heroes) nor Moon Dong-ju (20, Hanwha Eagles) have been able to play as full-time starters in the first team since their rookie years.
It is unknown whether spring training next year will begin in Tucson, Arizona or Changwon. What is clear is that the club and coach Kang In-kwon are looking far ahead. For NC, the biggest task for the 2024 season is to establish a stable 3–5 starting lineup. However, this means that we cannot hastily allow unprepared prospects to compete in the first team. Of course, if the process is good in spring camp and exhibition games, he can compete for first-team selection. But even if that doesn’t happen, there’s no reason to rush.
However, coach Kang In-kwon did not say that he would not use Shin Young-woo in the first team next year. He said that he has high expectations of playing in the first team for the 2024 season. He said, “All you have to do is go out and catch a few games during a certain period of time (not necessarily as a winning pitcher, but as long as you pitch well).”
