It’s the age of 160 mph. You have to throw 150 kilometers per hour to be considered “fast. There is a pitcher who is going backwards. Kiwoom Chung Chan-heon (33). He doesn’t reach 140 kilometers per hour, but he throws well. Manager Hong Won-ki (50) also left a favorable review.

Before the final game of the three-game midweek series against Samsung in the 2023 KBO regular season at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on Feb. 22, 먹튀검증 Hong Won-ki said, “160 kilometers per hour is the trend these days. Chung Chan-heon is showing that you can survive with a slower ball,” he said.

“Pitching is also important. He threw fewer pitches, induced bunts, and pitched long innings. That’s the biggest quality of a starting pitcher. He’s doing a great job.”

The day before, Jung had pitched seven innings of six-hit, no walks and four strikeouts in a Quality Start Plus (QS+) performance against Samsung.

It was his first seven-inning start in 1089 days. It’s the first time he’s pitched more than seven innings since June 27, 2020, when he tossed a complete game shutout against the Literary SKs while with LG. It took a long time.

His ‘economic pitching’ also stood out. Only 77 pitches in seven innings. That’s 11 per inning. The previous record was 83 pitches against Mokdong Uri on September 12, 2008, also in the LG era. Six less.

He was a 150-kilometer-per-hour fireballer, but his speed dropped as he underwent surgeries on his elbow and back. It was a tough time.

His back, in particular, has plagued him for the past few years. When he was with LG, he was on a 10-day rotation. Not anymore. It’s a normal rotation. He has become an indispensable player for the team.

The day before, his top speed was only 138 kilometers per hour, but it was enough. He had a fastball that hit every corner and a changeup that was a slider, curveball, and forkball. I can throw it wherever I want, so I can be aggressive. It was a good day for me. The only thing missing was a win, coming from 0-0 down.

Manager Hong Won-ki said, “Chan-heon Jung continues to pitch in the normal rotation. He pitched on four days’ rest for the first time earlier this month and had no problems. Even when our new foreign pitcher Ian McKinney comes in, he’s in his own order,” said Hong.

“When we signed him as a free agent in March, it was like it was my job. I know his story, and he’s a great addition to the team. He’s a proven player. We need someone with a lot of experience. We have a lot of young pitchers, and there’s a lot to learn from them.”

“He used to throw fastballs, but not anymore, but he’s learned to adapt to the environment. That’s the power of age. It’s the result of hard work and study. I try my best every game to stay alive. It resonates with the team. They must be desperate, desperate. It’s paying off,” he said encouragingly.