"Isn't there a chance of a swing and a miss?"

Is there a scene where Koh Young Technology's (34) wild changeup faces the thunderous swing of Shohei Ohtani (31, Los Angeles Dodgers)? Koh recorded 6 innings without giving up a run and struck out 11 batters in the match against Kia Tigers in Gwangju on the 15th. In the previous game against NC Dinos, he also pitched 7 innings, allowing only 1 run, and recorded 10 strikeouts. This is the first time since his debut that he has achieved double-digit strikeouts in consecutive games.

This is because he found the power of his signature weapon, the changeup. The Kia hitters were helpless against the changeup. They swung and missed and lost their balance. Against the powerful hitters Choi Hyung-woo and Na Sung-bum, he also used high cutters. Kia's Choi Won-jun and manager Lee Bum-ho, who faced Koh's changeup, were also amazed.

Choi Won-jun said, "The ball disappears. Even if Ohtani comes, it will be hard to hit," recalling Ohtani. The manager also noted, "Even if I think of targeting the changeup, I still swing. It’s hard to see it drop. Yesterday, it entered the lower zone, and they didn’t get a single ball out. The condition was good," explaining the expression that the ball disappears as it falls in front of the batter.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol said, "The changeup drops well like a bell. It doesn't get pushed to the side like last year. It’s the feeling of being in great form. Before, the fastball speed exceeded 140 km/h, and the hitters' swing rates increased significantly. Rather than speed, I've found a way to survive. It seems I’m going in a good pattern," giving a positive evaluation.

Choi Won-jun attracted attention while facing Ohtani. Koh revealed the secret to his recovery, saying, "If the changeup is flat, it becomes an easy target. I caught the timing of throwing." At the same time, he expressed gratitude, saying, "I appreciated that Won-jun mentioned me as a great pitcher and said it was a good pitch. Na Il also mentioned my competitive spirit."

Koh also revealed a bit of anticipation for the matchup with Ohtani. "This is purely imaginary. You might have never seen a changeup thrown by a sidearm pitcher. It won’t be predictable due to its unconventional pitch type and angle. The over-the-top changeup will counter it," he expressed his determination, saying, "(If we compete) there might be a swing and a miss. I want to hang in there with my current pitches. I will try my best to make it happen."

For Koh to compete against Ohtani, it can only happen in an international tournament. The World Baseball Classic (WBC) will take place in March 2026. If Koh maintains his current form, the possibility of being selected for the WBC team is high. However, Ohtani's participation is uncertain. While he expressed his intention to participate last April, nothing has been decided yet. The Los Angeles Dodgers may oppose it.

Still, it is curious whether Koh's high-quality changeup will work in international competitions. He started in the Premier 12 tournament last year against Taiwan but collapsed with 6 runs allowed to the hitters. At that time, it wasn't this kind of changeup. He is grouped with Japan and Taiwan in Group C for the WBC qualifying round next year. It raises the question of whether he will get a chance for revenge.

[OSEN]