The NC Dinos sent Kim Nok-won, Kim Tae-hoon and Lee Jun-hyeok to Tread Athletics in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, from Oct. 26 to Nov. 24 last year to foster the growth and strengthen the capabilities of their young pitching staff. At the pitcher-specific training academy visited by Major League Baseball players, the three players completed customized programs for improving pitching mechanics, increasing velocity and pitch quality, and preventing injuries.
It was not simply training to throw a lot of pitches. Based on biomechanical analysis for each player, pitching designs suited to each individual were created, and routines to endure the season were developed.
Kim Nok-won focused intensively on pitch tunnels between pitch types. He said, "I practiced making the trajectories between pitch types similar. As a result, I have thought a lot about how to choose the next pitch according to the situation."
Another goal was to establish a season routine. He explained, "My goal was to create the routine I will use this season. Right now I am getting accustomed to that routine during the camp."
The biggest gain at Tread Athletics was a new primary weapon. "I used to think the circle changeup was my main pitch, but it was attacked by hitters more than I expected. That was a concern. At Tread I learned the kick changeup and I am continuing to refine it now," Kim Nok-won said.
His current top velocity reached 145 km at 70–80% intensity. Preparations are underway to erase the disappointment of last year's 21 games with a 3-4 record, 1 hold and a 6.56 earned run average.
Kim Tae-hoon focused on correcting his pitching motion. He said, "Before going to Tread, my appearance when throwing fastballs and breaking balls was different. I received feedback to try throwing breaking balls as hard as my fastball, and when I tried that the speed increased and the data numbers improved."
He is currently refining his slider and forkball. Kim Tae-hoon said, "I am especially trying to make the slider a reliable pitch. Maybe because I managed my body according to the schedule before entering camp, my condition is good and my body comes up quickly when pitching," expressing satisfaction. When throwing at 80% intensity, the speed gun recorded up to 146 km.
During the off-season, Lee Jun-hyeok learned "intensity control." "I learned that I can't use 100% every day. I learned how to distinguish days to push and days to recover. Right now my condition is good enough that I can pitch in games without strain," Lee Jun-hyeok explained.
He also made changes to his pitching design. "I felt a four-seam fastball was insufficient to beat hitters. So I changed to a two-seam fastball. I boldly removed the changeup and decided to throw the slider in both vertical and horizontal directions." Lee Jun-hyeok's top velocity reached 145 km. Thrown at 70–80% intensity, it is expected to get faster.
QC coach Lee Yong-hoon said, "We applied personalized solutions through biomechanical measurements. All three players had a high level of understanding and were passionate, so their absorption was very fast."
Pitching coach Kim Kyung-tae also evaluated, "Kim Nok-won's kick changeup and curve numbers are improving, so he is expected in the starting competition. Lee Jun-hyeok got better from his second pitching, and Kim Tae-hoon is in the process of finding his balance."
With data-driven training and a reestablishment of pitching design, the three young NC pitchers returned having learned not just "how to throw the ball" but "how to play baseball."
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