Pitching Form Perfected - Hidden Skill Unlocked
Pitching Form Optimization: 100% Complete
Hidden Skill: Pitching Balance
Pitching form optimization complete.
Control +20.
All pitch types +5.
Max velocity -25 km/h.
Tae-woong wiped the streaming sweat from his brow with a towel and shouted.
“Finally done!”
Affiliation: KBO? AT Wiz
Max Velocity: 123 km/h
Control: 35
Pitches: Four-seam (35), Two-seam fastball (25), Curve (25), Changeup (25), Slider (30)
Skills:Pitching Balance 1
Stats range from 20 to 80.
However, skills can exceed the max.
Based on MLB scouting scale (20-80):
80:Franchise Player, consistent MVP/Cy Young, Hall of Fame candidate, MLB ace.
75:Franchise Player, potential MVP/Cy Young, definite All-Star, MLB 1-2 starter.
70: Secondary franchise, MLB 2nd starter.
65: MLB 2-3rd starter.
60: MLB 3rd starter.
55: Above average, guaranteed starter, MLB 3-4th starter.
50: MLB average, MLB 4th starter.
45: Strong bench, MLB 4-5th starter.
40: 25-man roster, MLB 5th starter / KBO 1st starter.
35: Weak bench / KBO 2nd starter.
30: Spring training invitee, weak bullpen / KBO 3rd starter.
25: Minor leaguer, injury backup / KBO 4th starter.
20: Minor leaguer, no MLB play / KBO 5th starter.
“The skill applied perfectly.”
Tae-woong confirmed the effect of the hidden skill Pitching Balance through the numerical changes.
“Max velocity at 123 km/h, control at 35…… Damn it. This was the right choice, right? No, it has to be. It's too late to turn back now.”
His velocity had hit rock bottom, but his control and pitch ratings had risen.
So even if I squeeze every ounce of strength from my whole body right now, max velocity is 123 km/h?
At twenty, Tae-woong had effortlessly topped 145 km/h without trying hard.
Even before retiring, he'd thrown 140 km/h while carrying injuries on his thighs, waist, shoulder, elbow, wrist, fingers…… literally his entire body.
“Hoo.”
Tae-woong exhaled and hurled the ball.
Like his twenty-year-old self, blasting fastballs.
Paang!
His pitch slammed into the strike zone marked on the wall.
Due to his post-pitch form dipping low, Tae-woong couldn't see where it went.
He looked up at the radar gun slightly above the strike zone.
Four-seam fastball
122 km/h
“The problem is spe…… Nah, it's good. Really good. But the velocity……”
No strain in any one spot when throwing, no pain either.
Even to his eyes, this form looked incredibly smooth—no major fatigue even after 100 pitches.
But the issue was still velocity.
Tae-woong racked his brain, trying to remember the last time his max was 120 km/h.
“Middle school first year? Nah. Even then, I remember doing interviews and broadcasts about hitting 137 km/h.”
No matter how hard he thought, it must've been before middle school.
Velocity-wise, things would be tough ahead, but Tae-woong had no regrets.
The old him, armed only with velocity and power, had failed.
But now, he had control and command.
He knew better than anyone how aging veterans with fading strength beat hitters.
As Tae-woong sank into thought, something appeared before him.
Beginner Mission Started!
Beginner Mission 1: Secure 1st Team Camp Spot
Reward: Max velocity +1 km/h
“Beginner mission? And the reward boosts velocity?”
Typically, beginner missions gave reinforcement tickets, so guaranteed stat gains if cleared? Irresistible to Tae-woong.
The game system popping up out of nowhere, handing out goodies for free…… suspicious.
Pre-regression, he was just average—not overly kind or evil.
Why him specifically?
“Eh, whatever. If it's giving, I'll squeeze every drop outta it.”
Tae-woong licked his lips greedily.
January 15, 2018.
A day etched forever in his past life—the day he signed with the New York Yankees.
Not in this life, but still crucial today.
Over the past few weeks in the 2nd team, he'd dominated five scrimmages: 13 innings, 1 run.
Riding that momentum, he was here for the final test deciding 1st team spring camp invites.
“Wiz Park……”
Bromides of team legends loomed large on every pillar.
In a few years—or next season—one might feature him.
At the entrance, Tae-woong grinned maniacally, hopping like a kid.
“My era starts now! Woo-heh-heh-heh-heh!”
Then, a frantic signal from below.
Gurgle.
“Gah…… Damn, not now……”
Tae-woong clutched his gut against the sudden abdominal agony.
Gurgle-gurgle.
“Urk…… Bathroom…… Where's the bathroom! Gaaah, gonna leak! It's coming! Gonna shit myself! For real!”
He screamed like a madman, clamping his legs, staggering toward relief.
At the entrance, onlookers watched the pillar-hopping bathroom hunter.
“Coach, that kid's a bit off, right? Handsome face…… but tsk. Total psycho vibe. Why's a kid like that……”
“Hey, you think crazies are rare here? That's tame. Ignore him, let him be. It'll pass quick.”
“Guys like that chuck wild ones and balk…… Hope they don't hit bodies.”
“What, the catcher's scared of pitchers now? A rook fresh off nomination?”
“Rook or not, 150 km/h shatters bones, Coach.”
“Ugh…… Catcher's bragging about fearing rook heat!”
The pitching coach and bullpen catcher tsked at Tae-woong's half-mad antics.
In the stadium corridor, a zombie-like man leaned against the wall, shuffling.
Gurgle.
“Urgh…… Th-there. Almost there. Please…… Hold on just a bit!”
After screaming at the entrance, Tae-woong bolted on dire cramps.
He yanked down his pants and plopped on the throne.
Pfffttttt!
“Hah…… Hah…… Two seconds later and I'd have soiled myself. On white pants day, no less.”
Thankfully, human dignity intact.
“Ahh…… That nuclear fire noodle from yesterday's going nuclear on exit. Sorry, butt. Hang in there today. Never again. Promise.”
Twenty minutes later, test time looming, he was still throne-bound.
“Ah…… Gonna be late for real.”
Missing day one? Perfect way to get labeled slacker by coaches and vets.
But his gut showed no mercy.
As his slot neared, a voice called.
“Hey! Seo Tae-woong, said you were shitting—stuck to the pot? Coach wants you NOW! Get out! Your turn!”
“Y-Yes! Sorry! Coming right now!”
He blurted back at the salty curse-laced name-drop, flung open the door.
“Huh? No way, Kang Baek-ho?”
Before him stood his same-age best bud from middle school days—not the thirty-something uncle vibe, but the fresh-faced kid version.
“Yeah, the one and only Kang Baek-ho.”
Post-debut, Tae-woong stuck to 2nd team while Baek-ho shone in 1st.
Baek-ho 1st round draft, him 2nd—so first meet post-regression.
“Why stare like that? And put on pants, exhibitionist perv? Pissed yourself? Or new aggro troll?”
The 2018 season's Korean Ohtani, Wiz super rookie Kang Baek-ho.
Later MLB-bound with a $100M+ megadeal, transcending rookie to superstar.
And his silent rock through hard times—closest friend.
“Just happy to see ya, man. Real happy.”
Baek-ho chuckled in disbelief at the frantic pants-pull.
“Cough…… Shit stench. Not on pants? Check.”
“Haha, sure.”
“Haha my ass…… Hurry! Getting me chewed out too.”
With that, Baek-ho pinched his nose and fled the bathroom.
“Sorry I'm late! Stomach bug!”
“Haha, no sweat. Heard from Baek-ho. Hey, settled now? Kekeke, you're a wild one too.”
“Sorry. Haha, got carried away…… Was too tense earlier, loosening up, hyung! Let's start.”
Back in KBO, Tae-woong studied nonstop to patch skill gaps.
So he knew Wiz well then.
Dead last three straight seasons through 2017.
Manager Kim Jin-woong aimed to escape basement, hit .500, make playoffs.
Hunted rookie talent to plug pitching holes.
But rookies flopped hard.
Compared to prior year, maybe 1-2 new arms shone.
Jackpot!
Per memory, sans super rookie Baek-ho, no other freshmen stuck in 1st team this season.
Nail this test, impress the skipper—he could fill that void.
I'm not past-me.
Post-US return, drafted by AT Wiz half-broken: wrecked form, injuries galore.
No speed, no bite, no control.
Tense tests? Balls missed zone entirely.
Cut from 1st team camp list, always 2nd team starts.
For subs and benchwarmers, 1st camp was lottery jackpot.
Shine there? Catch director/coach eyes, snag shots.
Today: Final eval for Arizona 1st team spring camp rookies.
Usually 2-3 prospects invited.
Just crush today—chance comes!
Current max: 123 km/h. Slower than Bears' slowball sage Woo Hee-gang.
Without dazzling on director/coach watch day? No 1st call-up ever.
Needed killer impression: slow heat owns hitters.
Past him tensed, muscled up, showed half-potential.
But bottom-scraped now? Different beast.
Nothing left to lose. Baseball's all I got!
Fists clenched tight.
Alright. Let's do this—worth it. Pro vet 18 years, baby.
Moments later, his turn: Entered bullpen, bowed to Manager Kim Jin-woong and 1st team pitching coach Jeong Myeong-eon.
“Hello! New signee Seo Tae-woong reporting!”
“Yeah, warm up plenty, no nerves. Still chilly, we'll account. Ignore velo/power. Control first. Got it?”
“Yes sir. Quick stretch then.”
Loosened up, mounted bullpen mound.
Test prioritized skipper's control kings.
Slow and steady. One by one.
System stats: 20 low-end to 80 peak.
Minus velo, his felt solid for KBO 1st starter baseline.
Why Korea over MLB.
Where to start?
Goal: Laser corners, nasty breaking stuff.
Prepped.
Coach with scoresheet/gun: “Let's go! 10 four-seams first. Just stuff strikes calm. Skipper said it: control priority!”
“Yes, Coach.”
Formal tests always buzzed nerves and thrill.
Alright. Time for that mission.