Satisfied, the ace of the 2.5 billionth winning team, how did you prepare for it, 147km already...As soon as possible, on the mound

Jan 30, 2025

KIA Tigers James Nail made his first bullpen pitching at the Irvine Spring Camp in the United States. Photo courtesy = KIA Tigers

"Satisfied"

KIA Tigers foreign pitcher James Nail (32) joined the spring camp by building his body well like an ace. Even though he started spring camp about a week earlier than last year, he finished pitching in the first bullpen without any problems. His physical condition was so good that his maximum fastball speed reached 147km already.

Nail made her first bullpen pitch on the 30th (Korea time) at the Great Park Baseball Complex in Irvine, USA, the first spring camp training site. Nail warmed up lightly by throwing 29 balls from the bullpen. Five pitches, including four-seam fastballs, two-seam fastballs, sweepers, changeups, and curves, were checked evenly. The maximum speed of the fastball came up to 147 kilometers.

Looking at the speed alone, there was little difference from the first live pitching at the Canberra Spring Camp in Australia on February 17 last year. At that time, Nail recorded a maximum speed of 148 kilometers per hour on a fastball while checking various pitches such as sinkers, cutters, sweepers, and changeups. Bullpens pitching does not have to be meaningful in arrest, but anyway, it can be judged that he is raising his physical condition well as he did last year.

Nail took a good rest during the offseason, spending time with her family, and preparing for spring camp by exercising whenever she had time. Today (30th) was my first bullpen pitch, so I paid more attention to the command than to the ball speed, and the result was satisfactory. I want to prepare well in the future and get on the mound at Champions Field as soon as possible."

KIA achieved an integrated championship last year and put a lot of effort into constructing its power this season. It was because he decided that it was the right time to try to win the championship for two consecutive years. To win the championship, the composition of a foreign one-two punch was the most important, and he confirmed his company with Nail for the second consecutive year. KIA gave a total of 1.8 million dollars (about 2.5 billion won) and treated him like the ace of the winning team.

Nails had the best performance while healthy last season. He was 12-5 with 149 ⅓ innings, 138 strikeouts and a 2.53 ERA in 26 games. In particular, when Nail took the mound, fielders often made strange errors and did not follow Seung-woon, but there was no doubt about Nail's ball power.

KIA starter Nail is practicing pitching in Game 4 of the Korean Series between KIA and Samsung at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 26th. Daegu = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.26/

KIA nail is cheering Samsung's Lee Sung-kyu with two outs and runners on first and third in the bottom of the fourth inning at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 26th. Daegu = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.10.26/

Nail left for a long time on August 24 last year against the Changwon NC Dinos due to a major injury that fractured her jaw joint after being hit in the face by a hit. After being diagnosed with having to undergo surgery within 24 hours, he hurriedly moved to Seoul and went to the operating table, and during the rehabilitation period, it was difficult to chew properly, so he couldn't even eat porridge. However, even with a swollen face, he expressed his will to return for the team, and he returned to the mound in time for the Korean Series and wrote a touching drama. Nail pitched in two Korean Series games, winning one game, 10 ⅔ innings and a 2.53 ERA, helping her win the championship.

KIA had no reason not to renew its contract with Nail, who has outstanding skills as well as work ceremonies. It gave $1.8 million with a winning premium. Nail was ranked No. 1 in foreign player ransom this season along with kt wiz outfielder Mel Rojas Jr. and SSG Landers outfielder Guillermo Herredia.

Nail is planning to lead KIA's starting lineup again this year. KIA recruited starting pitcher Adam Oler, who played as an active major leaguer until last year, for $1 million (about 1.4 billion won), and the new foreigner needs time to see how he will adapt to the KBO League. Veteran left-hander Yang Hyun-jong is expected to challenge the 170-inning milestone for 11 consecutive years this year, but considering his age in his late 30s, he needs time to rest. Yoon Young-chul will be the fourth starter, while Hwang Dong-ha, Kim Do-hyun and rookie Kim Tae-hyung are currently competing for the fifth starter. Left-hander Lee Eui-ri, who is rehabilitating from an elbow injury, is expected to return around May to June. In a situation where foreign starters and domestic starters have variables one by one, it is important for nails to firmly establish a central axis.

Meanwhile, Aller also started pitching in the bullpen for the first time on the same day. Aller threw a total of 20 pitches while checking six pitches, including four-seam fastballs, cutters, changeups, curves, sliders, and slobs. The maximum speed of the fastball was 145 kilometers per hour.

KIA pitching coach Chung Jae-hoon said, `Both players seem to have made their bodies well. It was his first bullpen pitch, but he showed a satisfactory pitch" expressed satisfaction.