Did 'reverse idea + change' work? QS I got it back in a month...Can I see "Nail Art" again

Jul 21, 2024

◇James Nail who took the mound against Hanwha in Daejeon on the 20th. Photo courtesy = KIA Tigers

Can we see 'Nail Art' again.

KIA Tigers foreign pitcher James Nail laughed for the first time in a long time. On the 20th, Nail earned her ninth win (two losses) of the season by pitching quality start (more than six innings, three earned runs or less, QS) with six hits (one home run), one walk (one walk), five strikeouts and one run in six innings against Hanwha in Daejeon. It has been about a month since Nail pitched QS against LG on the 19th of last month (five hits, one homer, one walk, six strikeouts and two runs in six ⅓ innings).

It's a nail that I've been thinking about a lot.

◇James Nail who took the mound against Hanwha in Daejeon on the 20th. Photo courtesy = KIA Tigers

It was not easy to go over five innings in July. In all three appearances, he pitched more than five innings, but both hits and walks increased. There were only two homers in 66 innings in 11 games until May, but seven homers came out in 46 ⅔ innings in eight games from the match against KT on June 1 to the match against SSG on the 14th. It is true that some were concerned that the nail's pitching habits might have been seen to some extent.

KIA manager Lee Bum-ho previously analyzed Nail's pitching, "'Between his pitches or his pitches are not bad, but I think he's familiar with the batters because there are few pitches.'" Then "Foreign pitchers often go through difficult times while doing well in the beginning." There were a lot of pitchers evolving over time"If you add another pitch and throw the pitching repertoire in reverse, you'll find the style you have. Then, in the most important autumn, he will be able to pitch what he wants. "

◇James Nail who took the mound against Hanwha in Daejeon on the 20th. Photo courtesy = KIA Tigers

In the match against Hanwha, Nail also allowed a home run. However, in the process of giving up six hits, including a home run, he played his role as a starting pitcher with only one run and only one walk.

There was also a change. In the match against Hanwha, he used the sweeper, the main pitch type, the most with 36, but increased the weight of fastballs (25), compared to the two-seam (17). He tried to change the existing pattern by properly mixing balls that have not been used well so far, such as cutters (14), change-ups (3), and curves (1). After pitching on the day, Nail revealed that she made some changes to her pitching form.

On this day, the nail came out wearing a pitchcom transmitter. Catcher Kim Tae-gun, shortstop, second baseman, and center fielder kicked the receiver. Kim Tae-gun sent autographs as before, but nails used pitchcom to sign autographs themselves. Kim Tae-gun continued to shake his head at Nail's autograph, causing the game to be temporarily suspended. However, as a result, Nail succeeded in pitching QS, and KIA won, and the use of pitchcom was also successfully completed.

◇James Nail who took the mound against Hanwha in Daejeon on the 20th. Photo courtesy = KIA Tigers

It is true that foreign players, especially pitchers, who visit the KBO League are passive in trying to change. It focuses on maintaining the routine and pitching form that he has pursued since the days of the United States. However, Nail boldly tried to change to find a breakthrough and set the stage for a rebound. If 'nail art', which commanded the league at the beginning of the season, is revived, KIA's lead and V12 moves are also expected to gain momentum.

ppark@sportschosun.com

Did 'reverse idea + change' work? QS I got it back in a month...Can I see "Nail Art" again

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