Sung Yong-tak, a young pitcher who was instrumental in the KIA Tigers’ early-season success, is facing challenges after an otherwise perfect run. His initial dominance as a closer has given way to recent struggles, prompting the team to adjust his role and focus on his mental and physical recovery.
Sung Yong-tak’s Meteoric Rise
Drafted by the KIA Tigers in the 10th round of the 2024 KBO draft, Sung Yong-tak quickly made a name for himself. Debuting in May of his rookie year, he showcased exceptional pitching ability, earning a promotion to the first team and contributing to the team’s ascent to the top tier of the league. As a second-year player, he was entrusted with the crucial closer role for the Tigers’ bullpen, a responsibility he handled with remarkable composure.
Throughout the early part of the 2024 season, Sung Yong-tak maintained an impressive earned run average of 1.78. By mid-June, he had accumulated 2 wins, 12 saves, and 3 holds, solidifying his position as a key player. His performance was crucial in stabilizing the bullpen, especially during a period when the team’s primary closer, Jeong Hyeon-guk, was sidelined due to injury. Without Sung Yong-tak’s contributions, the KIA Tigers might have struggled to maintain their position in the upper half of the league standings.
His exceptional performance also earned him a spot on the preliminary roster for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, a significant honor for the young pitcher.
Recent Setbacks and Team Response
However, Sung Yong-tak’s streak of perfection came to an end on June 20th in a game against the KT Wiz in Suwon. He experienced his first loss, giving up 5 earned runs in one inning. This was followed by another shaky outing on July 1st against the SSG Landers in Gwangju, where he allowed 2 earned runs in the first inning, leading to his removal from the game.
In response to these difficulties, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho announced a shift in bullpen strategy starting from the latter half of the first half of the season. This decision aims to alleviate the pressure on Sung Yong-tak, allowing him time to recover both mentally and physically.
Coaching Staff’s Perspective on Sung Yong-tak’s Struggles
Pitching coach Lee Dong-geol addressed Sung Yong-tak’s recent performance, suggesting that the issues might stem from stamina-related problems, which in turn led to an increase in mistakes on the mound. He noted that there were subtle differences in Sung Yong-tak’s pitch movement, indicating a potential mechanical issue.
Coach Lee emphasized that Sung Yong-tak should not feel discouraged by losing his closer position. He highlighted that Sung Yong-tak has already made significant contributions to the team and that it is now the responsibility of the more experienced pitchers to support the team in the crucial late innings. Fortunately, veteran pitchers like Jo Sang-woo and Jeon Sang-hyeon have been stepping up, providing valuable innings and allowing Sung Yong-tak the necessary rest.
“Sung Yong-tak performed so perfectly, without a single loss from the latter half of last year through the first half of this season, that the current problems seem magnified,” Coach Lee stated. “Every player faces turning points like this. Rather than placing immense pressure on Sung Yong-tak, it’s more important to remind him of how well he has performed so far.”
Addressing the Mental Game
Coach Lee further elaborated on Sung Yong-tak’s mental approach. “Sung Yong-tak isn’t the type to shy away from challenges; he’s a mentally strong player. However, he might fall into a mindset of ‘I must win, I must be strong,’ which can narrow his focus on the mound.”
He explained that while the desire to win is important, obsessing over it can limit a pitcher’s strategic thinking. Instead of focusing solely on overpowering the opponent, pitchers need to consider pitch selection, location, and game strategy. “If he only focuses on showing his strength, he might end up just pitching instead of managing the game. This can lead to losing his rhythm,” Coach Lee observed.
The coaching staff’s current approach is to help Sung Yong-tak maintain his rhythm while finding solutions within that framework. “These kinds of crises will inevitably come up again in his career. We are working now to ensure he can overcome them when they do,” the coach added.
The Path Forward for Sung Yong-tak and KIA
For the 4th-place KIA Tigers, Sung Yong-tak’s resurgence is vital as they navigate the intense competition in the second half of the season. His ability to perform effectively, whether as a closer or in another role, makes a significant difference for the team.
Coach Lee reiterated the importance of Sung Yong-tak’s contributions: “Ultimately, the team is in its current position because Sung Yong-tak has performed so well. He is a necessary player for the team and plays a crucial role in the bullpen.”
He advised Sung Yong-tak to reflect on his journey: “If he only tries to be strong, he might lose what made him successful in the first place. He needs to remember who he is as a player and how he reached this point.” The coach pointed out that opponents now have a better understanding of Sung Yong-tak’s pitching, making it easier for them to adjust. Therefore, introducing variations in pitch location and patterns is essential.
“It’s important for him to remember what he did well and to implement those strategies again to get more outs. That’s what he needs to focus on,” Coach Lee concluded.
The KIA Tigers are confident that Sung Yong-tak will overcome this challenging period and continue to grow as a valuable asset to the team.
