Until May 17, 2025, Ryu Hyun-jin (38, Hanwha) had the record for the most strikeouts in a single game based on the regular innings (9 innings). Ryu Hyun-jin pitched a complete game against LG at Cheongju Stadium on May 11, 2010 with five hits (one homer) and one walk, 17 strikeouts, and one run in nine innings.

His record of 17 strikeouts in nine innings was hard to break. In some cases, it is difficult for a player with as much ability as Ryu Hyun-jin to come out of the KBO League again, but the biggest reason was that the times have changed. As the division of pitchers' division of labor has settled, the number of innings and pitches by starting pitchers gradually decreases, and the proportion of bullpen pitchers is gradually increasing. It was in that trend in 2010, but now it is even more so. The number of pitches by starting pitchers is controlled at around 100 pitches.카지노사이트

The quality of batters has become higher than before, and starting pitchers have to throw stronger pitches from the beginning in order to endure. With more than 100 pitches, chances are high that the starting pitchers have already burned everything. In 2010, when Ryu set a new record, there were theories about the division of labor of pitchers, but now it is different from then. In fact, Ryu threw 124 pitches in games at the time. These days, a starter throws about 110 pitches at most.

If so, it is common to play about seven innings even if the flow goes really well, but it is extremely difficult to make 17 out of 21 out-counts strikeouts. Many players aimed at Ryu Hyun-jin's record of "17 strikeouts," but this is why most officials, including Ryu Hyun-jin, carefully predicted that "it will not be easy in these days."

Ryu Hyun-jin also said, "Compared to that time, we are not in a situation where starting pitchers throw 120 pitches each. If we throw that many pitches now, I think it will be possible because they are throwing so fast and good pitches now, but I don't think it will be as easy as times have changed." It is not an intention to disparage the players, but he also admitted that the players' ball power has improved these days. However, he thought that the trend of the times would not allow him to take on the challenge.

In fact, this trend is evident in the Major League Baseball as well. In the history of the Major League, the last game with 18 strikeouts or more was played in 2016. Max Scherzer, who threw a fiery ball and would have been second to none in strikeout ability at the time, pitched a perfect game with 20 strikeouts in nine innings against Detroit on May 11, 2016. The previous record was Corey Kluber's 18 strikeouts on May 13, 2015. More than 18 strikeouts in a game have been recorded only twice since 2010, and not once since 2016. Major League pitchers' pitches improve every year, but they are not given the challenge amid innings and pitch management.

However, on May 17, 2025, a historical record appeared in the KBO League. Cody Ponce (31) of Hanwha Eagles, who has become famous as the representative strikeout machine of this year's league, is breaking Ryu's record. In a doubleheader game against SSG held at Hanwha Life Insurance Ballpark in Daejeon on Sunday, Ponce pitched 113 pitches during eight innings, giving his team a 1-0 win and allowing two hits, one walk, and 18 strikeouts. It was a huge incident that surprised everyone.

Ponce has already been recognized for his powerful pitching, including three double-digit strikeouts this year. He was named the best foreign pitcher in the league. However, the previous record was 13. He was far from 17. Ponce said he wanted to break Ryu's record by mixing a few jokes, but that was his wish. However, Ponce made this a reality.

There must have been something wrong with the SSG hitters' response, but basically, Ponce's ball and command on this day are so good. The fastball went on the borderline with almost no error. According to the "Trackman" data, Ponce's maximum speed reached 157.4 km per hour on the day, and his average speed was 154.4 km per hour. After Ponce came to the KBO League, it was the highest average in a game. The ball's control was amazing. It was perfectly taken at the top of the left and right of the strike zone, and SSG hitters swung and missed one after another. It was a fear because it was a difficult ball to hit even though you knew it, but if you didn't, it was a strike.

After various breaking balls including changeups came to life and led to numerous swings and misses, Ponce was able to set a new record of 18 strikeouts in eight innings. Ponce also led the game in earnest throughout the game. The difference in score was only one point, which made Ponce more concentrated to throw, and Hanwha Bench also showed faith and finally made a milestone.

Everything from Ponce, who shed tears thinking about his mother who died in the sky during the game, to the fact that the pitching coach went up but trusted Ponce, to cheering for him like he was deteriorating, to the fact that he managed to prevent crisis and finish the inning even after the no-heater was broken in the eighth inning, was very romantic. It was even dramatic that Ryu was watching Ponce in the dugout. An unforgettable day passed for Hanwha fans.