'April 1.47 → June 4.40 → July 5.63' The suspicious KIA ace, what's the problem?
Jul 17, 2024
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KIA Tigers James Nail is the best foreign pitcher selected by KBO league members in the first half. According to a survey of a total of 50 heads of 10 clubs, coaches, head coaches, and players, Nail topped the list with 30 votes. It was so overwhelming 'Ace'. Wil Crowe, who was expected to be 'foreign one-two punch', fell due to an unexpected injury, but KIA was able to take the first place as Nail held the weight of the starting rotation along with Yang Hyun-jong. It was the driving force itself.
However, it is true that the recent appearance of nail is definitely lower than at the beginning of the season. Nail maintained a one-point ERA until early June. The ERA, which is based on pitching innings and runs, is not an absolute reference point for evaluating a pitcher's performance, but it put pressure on the opponent by catching many innings with fewer runs.
However, his ERA has soared since June. Nail, who had a monthly ERA of 1.47 in April and 1.84 in May, has a record of 4.40 in June and 5.63 in three games in July. The ERA for the entire season also soared. As of the end of the match against Doosan (five runs and four earned runs in six ⅓ innings) on June 7, Nail, who had been in the one-run range at 1.82, soared to 2.96 after completing the match against SSG (three runs in five ⅔ innings) on the 14th. The lowest ERA, which has been maintained all along, was also given to Kyle Hart (NC), and now he is on the verge of entering the 3-point range.
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However, as the number of balls has increased recently, difficult matches continue. In the match against SSG on the 14th, only half of the players started with the first strike with 13 first-pitch strikes and 12 first-pitch balls. The unfavorable count fight continues and the number of pitches has increased as the number of balls has increased since then.
It was expected to some extent. Nail has also played in the U.S. as a bullpen for the past three years. In the past, he has experience in full-time selection, but there have been concerns about fitness issues. Other clubs, which put Nail on the recruitment list, were also concerned about this.
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However, Kia's concerns are expected to continue in the future. KIA is a team that tries to win the championship. I don't know how long the first-place fight will continue, but how to catch the 'big game' that will continue in the second half is also important, and the calculation must be made in advance until the postseason. Even if Yang Hyun-jong is strong, it is undeniable that he needs to be in the lead with Yang Hyun-jong.
It seems necessary to understand with a cool head whether the ups and downs of the nail are due to temporary factors or whether it is no longer a difficult ball that can be hit by the opposing team's batters.
youll@sportschosun.com
