Unbreakable Hwang Dong-ha..."What's more important than the 5th pick is that you want to survive in the first team."

Unbreakable Hwang Dong-ha..."What's more important than the 5th pick is that you want to survive in the first team."

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Hwang Dong-ha (23) started the game against Samsung held at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 16th and allowed three runs (one earned run) in four innings. It was the last test of the five starting pitchers competition. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho vowed to decide between Kim Do-hyun and Hwang Dong-ha as the fifth starting pitcher after the game.

Hwang Dong-ha, who took the mound in chilly weather, pitched cleanly through the fourth inning except for the first inning when his ball control was shaky and fielders made mistakes. "I felt like I was not fully recovered from the coldness in the first inning," Hwang said in an interview after the game. "The ball's power and control were good overall from the second inning." Only the coach's decision remained.스포츠토토

Starting from the spring camp, Hwang had let go of his mind to some extent about starting. "I feel like I'm starting because it was the first time I threw as a starter last year, unlike (Kim) Do-hyun," he said calmly. Hwang took the mound twice at a practice game in Okinawa, Japan, but both were appointed as intermediate pitchers. He also took the mound in relief at an exhibition game against Lotte on Sunday.

On the premise that Hwang would fail the audition, he said, "I feel regretful, but I think one day the opportunity will come," adding, "I will prepare to seize the opportunity." Hwang already has the experience of seizing the opportunity. When Kia was struggling due to injuries to its starters from the early last season, it took the mound as a substitute starter, pitched well, and continued its rotation as a starter until the end of the season, recording five wins, seven losses and an ERA of 4.44 in 25 matches including 21 starts. He is the hidden leader of its overall victory.

Regardless of his position, Hwang has been preparing for the 2025 season with a new mindset. He has increased his muscle mass to help improve his ball power. He also set a maximum speed of 150 kilometers per hour on fastballs. The maximum speed at the match against Samsung hit 146 kilometers per hour. "Last year, I was a little discouraged because I never thought I would start in the first team," Hwang said. "I have a mindset that I will play in the first team from start to finish this year."

As Hwang predicted, Lee picked Kim Do-hyun as the fifth starting pitcher on Wednesday. Hwang will play long relief in the bullpen. "I will keep my knife sharp." Hwang is not discouraged at all.