The KIA Tigers of the Korea Professional Baseball League are sending three pitchers to the United States for player development during the season.
KIA announced on the 28th that it will dispatch three pitchers, including Kim Se-il (22), Kim Jung-yeop (19), and Yang Su-ho (19), to Tred Athletics in Charlotte, North Carolina, on the 29th. This is the third dispatch since sending five pitchers, including Yoo Seung-cheol and Kim Gi-hoon, for short-term training last July.
The team, which will depart for the United States on the 29th and undergo a 29-day, 31-night schedule, will train based on a customized program designed according to the physical abilities measured for each player. KIA plans to send two members of the front office from the power planning team and one training coach along.
Director General Shim Jae-hak noted, "Since signing a partnership agreement with Tred Athletics in March, we have been exploring various player development programs, and this dispatch is part of that effort. We expect that the players will be able to enhance their potential abilities through advanced programs," adding, "The club will continue to put forth various efforts for player development."
The three pitchers dispatched to the United States this time are all young players with less than three years of experience. Kim Se-il is a left-handed pitcher selected 32nd overall in the fourth round of the 2023 draft. Yang Su-ho and Kim Jung-yeop are rookie right-handers selected 35th in the fourth round and 45th overall in the fifth round, respectively.
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