Choi Seung-yong, 24, is challenging to complete his first regulation innings debut with a new type of pitch called the sweeper.

Doosan Bears' manager Lee Seung-yup designed a four-man rotation of Cole Irvin, Jack Logg, Kwak Bin, and Choi Seung-yong before the first spring camp in Sydney, Australia, and after the spring camp, Choi Seung-yong was finally assigned the fourth starter position. The competition for the fifth starter is fierce between Choi Won-jun, Choi Joon-ho, Kim Min-kyu, and Kim Yoo-sung.

Choi Seung-yong, who is honing his skills at the second spring camp in Miyazaki, Japan, noted, "I feel like my pace is faster than usual, and everything is going according to plan. I've received opportunities before, but I couldn't showcase my skills each time. Since the manager has trusted me again as the fourth starter this year, I need to prove myself. Fortunately, thanks to the manager giving me faith early, I am gradually improving my pace."

Choi Seung-yong faced the Yomiuri Giants' second team on the 24th of last month, pitching 2 innings with 1 hit allowed, 1 strikeout, 2 walks, and no runs. He caught attention with a maximum speed of 143 km/h on his fastball while using various breaking balls, including curveballs, sliders, sweepers, and forkballs, and through subsequent training, he increased his fastball speed to 147 km/h. He has developed into a left-handed fireballer to a certain extent through this camp.

Another point of interest is the new pitch, the sweeper. Choi Seung-yong said, "I had thrown it casually before, but since two foreign pitchers in this camp throw the sweeper well, I started throwing it seriously. I sought advice and tried it out, and it turns out better than expected. My speed is a bit slow, but I think it will improve. The batters' reactions are also better than I expected, so I plan to practice more."

When asked about the pitcher who helped him greatly in mastering the sweeper, Choi Seung-yong replied, "Irvin uses the common grip that pitchers like Peddie or Ohtani use, but that didn't suit me, so I asked Logg. Logg showed me a slightly different way. After practicing that way, it seems to fit my hand well, so I continue to throw using that method."

He added, "I asked Logg, 'In Korea, the sweeper is said to be a pitch that puts strain on the arm. What do you think?' He replied, 'In the U.S., we don't strictly categorize it as a sweeper; the breaking ball itself already puts strain on the arm, and if you had to differentiate, the splitter is the one that puts a bit more strain on the arm.' In fact, I don't think too much about the strain on my arm."

Choi Seung-yong, who is challenging for the fourth starter role with his new weapon, the sweeper, has set a goal to achieve regulation innings as a full-time starter this year. He emphasized, "If I'm a starter, I must throw at least 5 innings in every game. Overall for the season, I need to achieve regulation innings." He expressed his wish, stating, "Regardless of wins, I definitely want to achieve regulation innings at least once. Fortunately, I haven't had any injuries so far, so I am confident."

Choi Seung-yong's experiences as a starter in the Japan-Korea game at the Premier 12 last year are also helping with his season preparations. Furthermore, he has gained new motivation with the prospect of participating in next year's World Baseball Classic (WBC). He explained, "Participating in major tournaments like the Asia Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) and Premier 12 is really helpful. I believe I will be able to go to the WBC if I perform well. However, I'm not thinking too much about that right now; I just want to contribute to the team's victory."

Choi Seung-yong did not forget to express his gratitude toward the Doosan fans who have high expectations for him as the fourth starter. He vowed, "I have never played as a full-time starter yet, but I appreciate the high expectations. I will do my best to meet those expectations this year."

Choi Seung-yong is a promising left-handed pitcher who was selected 20th in the second round of the Doosan draft in 2021. Until the second year of middle school, he played baseball as a weekend hobby, and in his third year, he began serious elite baseball, showcasing various pitches including fastballs, sliders, curveballs, and splitters along with his flexible pitching form during high school, realizing his dream of going pro.

Choi Seung-yong became a topic of discussion during the spring camp in Ulsan in February 2022, his second year in the league. At that time, former national team manager Seon Dong-yeol, known as 'National Treasure,' turned into a one-day pitching instructor for the Bears and closely observed the Doosan pitchers, giving Choi Seung-yong the highest praise, saying, "I have nothing really to say to you."

Choi Seung-yong, now in his fifth year as a professional, is challenging for a full-time rotation as the fourth starter.

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