Chen Yu-Kun of Kaohsiung Throws 149 km/h to Secure Victory in Yushan Cup Baseball Tournament

(TSN reporter Xie Jingwen, New Taipei 15th) Pitcher Chen Yu-Kun of Kaohsiung threw a career-high 149 km/h in the Yushan Cup baseball tournament today, pitching 2.1 innings without giving up any runs, leading his team to a 2-1 victory over Chiayi. Chen Yu-Kun has improved his pitching speed through mechanism adjustments and intensified training and aims to challenge the CPBL draft after graduation.

In the 115th Yushan Cup baseball tournament, the Kaohsiung team lost to Taoyuan yesterday and was relegated to the loser's bracket. Today, they faced the Chiayi team with no room for retreat. After four innings, both teams were tied at 1-1. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Kaohsiung scored a run on a bases-loaded walk to take the lead and secure the victory.

The Kaohsiung team's batting line was cold today, managing only three hits. Manager Shi Hongjie explained that the players' adjustments were not well done. Yesterday, the Taoyuan team's pitcher had a fast ball speed, even reaching 150 km/h. Today, facing the slower Chiayi team's pitching staff, the adjustments were not as quick.

Kaohsiung's relief pitcher Chen Yu-Kun entered the game in the top of the fifth inning with two outs and pitched a total of 2.1 innings, allowing one hit, striking out three batters without giving up any runs, and throwing a career-high fastball of 149 km/h to secure the win. Shi Hongjie praised Chen Yu-Kun's performance, saying he has the mentality to challenge professional baseball.

Shi Hongjie mentioned that Chen Yu-Kun was originally positioned as a starter, but due to not playing in the previous games, he adjusted his feelings for the game today as a reliever. His ball speed, strike rate, slider, and forkball were all at a high level.

Chen Yu-Kun mentioned that during team practice, his fastest ball speed was once measured at 148 km/h, while in actual games, it was 146 km/h. His pitching speed has been steadily improving since the second semester of his junior year in high school, which may be related to increased weight and explosive power training. Additionally, he noticed and his mother team's coach at Gaoyuan Vocational also reminded him that after pitching, his body would lean backward. He modified his pitching mechanism and saw results.

Chen Yu-Kun mentioned that as his pitching speed improved, he began to have the idea of challenging the CPBL draft. His mother team's coach also suggested he could try, but he needs to further strengthen his stamina and control of breaking balls. In addition to his fastball, curveball, and slider, due to his large hand, he has been practicing his forkball more since the end of last year to enrich his arsenal and has also been trying to practice a changeup, but it is still in the experimental stage.

This time participating in the Yushan Cup, Chen Yu-Kun hopes to do what he should do and showcase his value. He also hopes to qualify for the national youth baseball team.