It was a fastball that made the intense cold seem insignificant. Professional baseball Hanwha Eagles closer Kim Seo-hyun (21) recorded a maximum speed of 158 km/h with his fastball, achieving 10 consecutive games without allowing a run. "Mr. Zero" makes his appearance.

Kim Seo-hyun came on in the ninth inning in the home game against Kiwoom Heroes at the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Park on the 13th, finishing the game with three consecutive strikeouts. Hanwha won 7-1.

Although it was not a save situation with a six-run lead, Kim Seo-hyun's pitching was very impressive. On that day, Daejeon Hanwha Life Park experienced temperatures of 7.4 degrees Celsius, along with strong winds of 4.4 m/s, making the biting cold feel intense. Hanwha starter Moon Dong-joo, the KBO League's top fastball pitcher, also recorded a season-low maximum speed of 153 km/h in his four games this season. His average speed was also 149 km/h, which was 5 km slower than the game against Doosan on the 8th.

Moon Dong-joo, who secured his first win of the season with six innings, three hits, no walks, six strikeouts, and one earned run (unearned), struggled due to the severe cold. After the game, he noted, "It was so cold that I automatically adjusted my pacing. The wind was blowing too hard, and I could feel the cold on the mound."

However, Kim Seo-hyun, who appeared in the ninth inning, delivered fastballs that made the cold seem insignificant. Coming to the mound in short sleeves, Kim Seo-hyun thrilled the fans by hitting 156 km/h with his first pitch against the first batter, Lim Byeong-wook.

Starting with a 156 km/h high fastball for the third pitch to strike out Lim Byeong-wook, Kim Seo-hyun shifted into a higher gear with a first pitch fastball at 158 km/h to the next batter Jeon Tae-hyun. Then, in a 2-2 count, with his fifth pitch, he struck out Jeon Tae-hyun to close the inning with a low 155 km/h inside fastball.

Riding the momentum, he also struck out Kim Keon-hee in three pitches. After establishing a strike with a first pitch 151 km/h fastball low inside, he induced a swing and miss from Kim Keon-hee with a second pitch low slider. He then completed the "KKK" inning by throwing a third pitch 157 km/h fastball inside.

With a total of 11 pitches, 9 strikes were thrown. A maximum of 158 km/h and an average of 156 km/h fastballs (8 pitches) and sliders (3 pitches) were sufficient. With a height of 188 cm and a powerful arm swing that resembled a whip, he delivered fastballs that left a strong impression. With such difficult pitches coming into the zone, batters struggled to respond. Out of the 8 fastballs, 3 resulted in swings and misses.

As of that day, Kim Seo-hyun had recorded 3 saves and 1 hold in 10 games this season, allowing no earned runs. Over 8⅔ innings, he permitted only 3 hits and 2 walks while striking out 7, maintaining his scoreless streak. He holds a WHIP of 0.58 and an opponent batting average of .111. Although it is still early in the season, he has shown enough power to feel like a "final boss."

Kim Seo-hyun, who recorded a hold in the opening game as a middle reliever, was promoted to closer after the former closer Joo Hyun-sang was sent down to the second team for readjustment. He made a strong start by saving the first save situation in the ninth inning, leading 5-4 against KIA on the 29th of last month. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon said, "There is a different level of pressure entering in the 6th, 7th, and 9th innings. It's challenging at first, but he started well," and added, "The role of a closer is not easy. There may be blown saves, but I hope he continues to gain experience and wears the closer's mantle well."

Kim Seo-hyun stated, "I don’t think closing is my spot yet. I believe I’m temporarily filling a position that should be held by my senior Joo Hyun-sang. I do want to try being a closer, but I still can’t match up to senior Joo Hyun-sang. I will do my best in the tasks given to me," he said, lowering his posture, but he later added 2 more saves. He managed to hold onto a 1-run lead in games against Samsung on the 5th and Doosan on the 9th. All three of his saves this year have come in 1-run situations, demonstrating his mental toughness as a closer. Kim Seo-hyun's growth in his third year since joining the team is as fast as his ball speed.

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