KIA Tigers pitcher Seong Yeong-tak (21) is nearing a KBO record. KIA manager Lee Beom-ho showed his full support for Seong Yeong-tak's challenge for the new record.

Seong Yeong-tak has emerged as a 'surprise star.' Making his professional debut this year, Seong Yeong-tak has recorded 17⅓ consecutive scoreless innings, breaking the 36-year-old debut consecutive scoreless inning record (13⅔ innings) set by Jo Gye-hyun in 1989, establishing a new record for the KIA club.

This is the third place record for scoreless innings after rookie debut in history. In 2002, Hyundae Jo Yong-jun (18 innings) was second, and Kiwoom Kim In-beom (19⅔ innings) in 2024 was first. If Seong Yeong-tak adds 2⅔ more scoreless innings, he can place his name on the KBO record.

Just a month ago, I didn't expect this to be such a big hit. Seong Yeong-tak was drafted by the KIA in the 10th round, 96th overall, in the 2024 rookie draft. During his time at Busan High School, he led the team to victory in the Bonghwangdaegi in 2022 (Best Pitcher Award) and in the Hwanggeumsaegi in 2023, but he was not selected until the 10th round in the draft.

Last year, Seong Yeong-tak only played as a developmental player in the Futures League. In 23 games, he pitched 40 innings, recording 2 wins, 2 losses, 2 holds, and an earned run average of 4.05. He also started the season this year as a developmental player. On May 20, he was officially registered as a player and changed his jersey number from 039 to 65. His Futures League performance was average, with a record of 1 win, 1 hold, and an earned run average of 4.97 in 13 games.

On May 20, he was called up to the first team to take on a pursuit role. He made his debut against the KT Wiz on May 20, pitching 2 innings with 1 hit and 1 walk, without allowing any runs. Since then, he has pitched well without allowing runs in every appearance, coming in during games with a significant score gap, and managing multi-inning outings.

On the 21st, he came in during a tense moment against SSG Landers. KIA was leading 5-3 in the 9th inning, but closer Jeong Hae-young allowed consecutive hits, tying the game at 5-5. With one out and runners on first and second, Seong Yeong-tak came in as a relief pitcher.

He got the first batter Jeong Jun-jae out with a line drive to second base and allowed a right field hit to Park Seong-han. However, right fielder Choi Won-jun made an accurate home throw, tagging out the runner at home. Seong Yeong-tak also pitched in the bottom of the 10th, getting Lee Ji-young, Choi Jun-woo, and Seok Jeong-woo out in succession. He pitched 1⅔ innings without allowing any runs, playing a crucial role in the 5-5 tie.

Manager Lee Beom-ho praised Seong Yeong-tak on the 22nd, saying, "He throws strikes well. He boldly competes, and even after getting to 2 strikes, he can throw strikes with off-speed pitches, and he seems to have a very good mentality. Since he is still a young player, I believe he has the potential to develop endlessly.' He throws a two-seamer, slider, and curve, and the movement and drop angle of his pitches are good.

Will he take on roles in critical situations in the future? Manager Lee remarked, "In the future, could he change to be a pitcher who comes in during important situations in the bullpen? Young-tak pitches in the 6th inning, so he is part of the winning group. If a player who pitches in the 7th or 8th inning or the closer Jeong Hae-young needs a break, he could come in during the 7th or 8th inning. I am using Young-tak in a way that feels like he’s part of the winning group without actually being in the winning group," he said with a smile.

As a manager, doesn’t the continuous scoreless inning record of Seong Yeong-tak concern you? The manager responded, "I’m not worried, but Young-tak will be. Since he broke the club's record. Now, I think allowing even a single run might be less stressful for him. But I don't think he has a personality that gets stressed about those things," he said with a smile.

When it was mentioned that there is still a KBO record to be broken, the manager reacted as if he had just learned about it. When the KBO record (19⅔ innings) was brought up, the manager said, "Oh, then I will put him against the lower batting order. I will put him against the lower batting order for 2⅓ innings. After that, Young-tak will do it on his own. I will have him throw one inning at a time. Having come this far, if we can set a record, it will be good for our team to have that record. Just like his name, I will help Young-tak last for a long time," he said with a smile.

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