The Best Thrower in KBO

Kim Kwang Hyun was one of Korea’s top pitching prospects. He had a modest pro debut after signing with Wyverns for 500 million won as a first-round pick. He went 3-7 with a 3.67 ERA in his rookie season. Immediately Sophomore Kim Kwang Hyun had put together a breakout season in his second year and established himself as top hurler in KBO. He plowed through the league with a leading 16-4 record and 150 strikeouts in 162 innings pitched, and finished second with a 2.39 ERA. In a three-year stretch from 2008 to 2010, Kim was once considered a force on the mound and seemed to have a bright future ahead of him. Since then Kim appears to be halted by a string of injuries. He has been a major disappointment in the past two seasons after pitching well in 2010. He posted a combined 12-11 record in 156 innings with a 4.56 ERA, 1.51 WHIP and 4.67 BB/9. Kim’s average fastball velocity dropped from 143.6km/h in 2010 to 141.6km/h in 2012.

Kim still struggles mightily with control this year, but the radar gun reading shows some encouraging signs. He actually throws harder than he had in past years. Kim has gained velocity on his fastball, working at 143-150 km/h and peaking at 156km/h. Kim’s true overhand delivery gives him outstanding leverage on his pitches and causes his fastball to explode on hitters quickly. It also allows Kim to change the eye level of the batter by working more effectively up in the zone. Kim really cut loose with his fastball on 6/28 against LG Twins. His electric fastball was sitting at 145-156km and at an average velocity of 149.8km/h.

156km/h fastball

Kim’s best pitch is a wipeout slider. It is a plus offering sits in 133-142km/h range and reaches as high as 146km/h. The slider drops off the table just as it reaches home plate and is extremely tough on righties going down and in toward their feet. It is a true swing-and-miss pitch in every way.

146km/h slider

138km/h slider

137km/h slider

The left-hander’s splitter has come a long way. The pitch just nose-dives down at the plate with late movement. Kim also has the ability to throw a 140km/h+ splitter with slider-like lateral movement at times; however, it is less consistent and reliable than his slider. Basically he throws two versions of splitter, a harder version to get swings and misses and a slower version to get ahead in the count.

145km/h split-finger fastball

He also mixes in a 130-135km change-up. Occasionally it is awfully difficult to distinguish his splitter from a change-up:

130km/h split-finger fastball

Kim basically ditched his curveball in flavor of slider after turning pro. It is a pitch he can flip up to the plate.

117km/h curveball

Kim is desperately trying to work his way back after several injury-shortened seasons and hoping to get his once promising career back on track. Kim is showing the tools that make him a legitimate ace in KBO once again. It appears if now that he can improve his control as well if his best years are yet to come.