‘Sangmu’s 2nd Army Salvation King’ Cho Byeong-hyeon “Now I’m SSG Pilseungjo”
“During my time in the military, my speed increased by 4 km per hour… I am confident in my control.”
Cho Byeong-hyeon (21, SSG Landers), a 'reserve' member of the Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Sangmu) who was crowned relief king of the KBO Futures (2nd team) League in 2023, aims to enter the winning group of the first team of professional baseball in 2024.
Cho Byeong-hyun, who was named to the first team spring training list for the first time and is currently training in Biro Beach, Florida, USA, said through the club on the 20th (Korean time), "This season's goal is 'first team full time'. 파워볼
“Also, I want to reach 10 in either holds or saves,” he said.
Right-handed pitcher Cho Byeong-hyun was selected by SSG with the 28th overall pick in the 2nd and 3rd rounds of 2021.
In his first year as a member, he had a brief first-team debut (3 games, 6⅔ innings, ERA).
Cho Byeong-hyun, who experienced the August 10th War, enlisted in 2022 and served in the military at Sangmu.
Byung-Hyun Cho, who posted an ERA of 3.77 with 4 wins, 1 loss, and 1 hold in 11 games in the 2022 Futures League, won the '2nd team relief king' in 2023 by playing 44 games, 2 wins, 2 losses, 17 saves, and 4 holds with an ERA of 2.25.
After his discharge, he played with the Taegeuk symbol in the 2023 Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) and Asian Championships.
Military life became an inflection point for Cho Byeong-hyun.
Jo Byeong-hyun said, "I have gained a lot of strength compared to before I joined the military.
I feel like my physical balance has improved," and added, "As my speed increased to about 4 km per hour, I was able to get a lot of hitters' missed swings, which gave me confidence.
I corrected and improved my pitching form at Sangmu.
“I improved the perfection of my pitches and improved the windup and stride processes,” he recalled.
Byung-Hyun Cho throws a fast ball at a speed in the upper 140 kilometers per hour.
The effectiveness of ‘controlled fast balls’ was also confirmed through international competitions.
Byeong-Hyun Cho said, “I felt that velocity is important, but ball control is also important,” and “Originally, my style was to only think about strikes and throw hard, but now I try to throw as close to the position requested by the catcher as possible.”
After confirming Cho Byeong-hyun's growth, SSG included him in the first team spring camp list.
Jo Byeong-hyun confidently said, "This is my first time participating in the first team camp.
I'm excited and happy.
I want to show off my skills at the camp.
I want to appeal that I'm a useful pitcher, and I also want to make sure I'm worthy of it."
Cho Byeong-hyun, who said, “I am confident in my pitch control,” said, “The type of pitch I can throw with the most confidence is the slider.
I am improving the perfection of the forkball I have been throwing since I was a managing director by continuing to throw it in this camp.
I also want to add a breaking ball.”
The military entry strategy was revealed.
SSG is currently looking for a ‘young pitcher’ to help the bullpen core, Ko Hyo-jun (41) and Noh Kyung-eun (39).
Byung-Hyun Cho has emerged as a strong first-team bullpen candidate.
He goes further and aims to enter the winning group.
Cho Byeong-hyun said, "I have a desire to be a starting pitcher, but I want to do my part in any position.
If I play as a bullpen pitcher, I want to occupy a spot in the sure-to-win team."
If Cho Byeong-hyun's wish comes true, SSG will be able to complete 'bullpen remodeling', one of its goals for 2024, more quickly.