Kim Tae-yeon, a 19-year-old pitcher for the Doosan Bears, holds the top spot for rookie of the year in the 2024 KBO League. He recently set a new record for the most saves by a rookie pitcher, amassing an impressive 16 saves. However, Cho Byung-hyun, a 22-year-old pitcher for the SSG Landers, is emerging as a formidable rival. While Kim Tae-yeon excels in saves, Cho Byung-hyun’s strength lies in holds. He leads all rookies with 59 innings pitched and has secured the most holds among rookies. Cho Byung-hyun’s unique pitching style, featuring a combination of a heavy fastball and a sharp forkball, has proven difficult for batters to hit. He boasts a remarkable 11.75 strikeouts per nine innings, ranking first among all bullpen pitchers with at least 50 innings pitched. He also achieved a historic feat by recording 10 consecutive strikeouts in a span of three games, becoming the second player in KBO history and the first ever bullpen pitcher to achieve this milestone. Despite a temporary drop in performance due to a higher average run allowed, Cho Byung-hyun has demonstrated his resilience by gradually regaining his competitive edge. With his impressive pitching skills and unwavering confidence, Cho Byung-hyun poses a significant challenge to Kim Tae-yeon’s dominance in the race for the coveted rookie of the year award.
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