Young Korean pitcher not about to back down vs. Padres
Moon Dong-ju, pitcher for the Korean national baseball team, speaks with reporters after practice at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, March 16, in preparation for exhibition games against the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Yonhap
Moon Dong-ju, the 20-year-old flamethrower for the Hanwha Eagles in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), isn't one to fear hitters. No pitcher armed with Moon's stuff would.
And when Moon starts against the San Diego Padres, Sunday, pitching for the Korean national team in the first of two exhibition games, he will try to stick to his guns and challenge big leaguers.
"There are so many good hitters, and I think the most important thing is for me to mix in all of my pitches and to go after them," Moon told reporters Saturday at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, the venue for the upcoming games. "Team Korea" will also play the Los Angeles Dodgers, Monday, before the Padres and the Dodgers play each other for two games in the historic Seoul Series.
"No matter how many runs I allow or how many home runs I serve up, I don't want to pitch around them," Moon said. "Obviously, whoever is standing in the box will come into my view, but I will just focus on the catcher's mitt."
Moon won the KBO Rookie of the Year in 2023 after going 8-8 with a 3.72 ERA. But the most important number for Moon might have been 160.1.
It was Moon's fastball velocity, in kilometers per hour, during a game in April. He became the first Korean pitcher in KBO history to top the magical 160 mark, which would be 99.4 miles per hour.
Moon said he embraced his starting assignment as an opportunity to showcase his talent in front of major league teams and a U.S. audience.
"I think it's going to be fun. As a 20-year-old, I want to show some youthful energy out there," Moon said. "I want to prove to the world that's why I deserve to start the first game."
As for his velocity, Moon said, "I haven't reached high numbers lately and I won't push myself too hard."
When he's not pitching, Moon said he will also keep a close eye on major league pitchers.
"I think I will get to learn a lot just by watching them," Moon said. "I hope I can take some lessons and apply them right away." (Yonhap)