Eliaser Hernandez (30), who led the LG Twins to the playoff stage last year, looked back on last fall.
Hernandez threw a bullpen session at the 2025 LG Spring Camp in Scottsdale, Arizona on the 4th (Korea Standard Time).토토사이트
With his third bullpen session, Hernandez threw a total of 25 pitches, including 12 fastballs, six sliders, six curves, and one change-up. His fastest speed was 146.9 kilometers per hour and the average speed was 143.8 kilometers.
"I pitched my third bullpen session, and today (April 4) I set the theme of practice of handling curves more effectively and how to use fastballs more efficiently," Hernandez said. "First of all, I still feel good. After today's pitching, I had time to study and think about how I can get better during the season while talking with coach Kim Kwang-sam. As a baseball player, I always want to learn and grow, so it was beneficial and good pitching in that area."
Hernandez replaced Casey Kelly as LG's uniform in July last year. He recorded three wins, two losses and one hold and one save with an ERA of 4.02 and 55 strikeouts in 11 regular season games and 47 innings.
Although he was disappointed in the regular season, he revealed his true value in the post season. He started as a bullpen pitcher, not a starter. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop showed a winning move because the LG bullpen was weak at the time. And Hernandez met his expectations.
Hernandez displayed perfect pitching during 11 innings in six games. He pitched a whopping 177 of them. Notably, he pitched in all five games of KT Wiz and the semi-playoff, and garnered 10 strikeouts during seven ⅓ innings to post two saves and one hold. Hernandez's fighting spirit allowed him to advance to the playoffs, but unfortunately failed to make it to the Korean Series.
Looking back at the time, Hernandez said, "Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop told me first that we can play in the middle or finish. So I was able to prepare mentally and physically in advance. As I have said, it was a must for the team to win. I prepared well thinking that way."
There were not always easy situations. There were also crisis situations. Hernandez said, "When I came up to the middle from a losing situation, I took the mound with a sense of responsibility and belief that I should hold out for now. It was a difficult situation because I threw it while trusting my teammates behind me, but I didn't feel it was too difficult for myself."
Such was the case with KT, which had been leading by one point, in the third round of the semi-playoff. Hernandez credited Park Dong-won (35), who worked with the battery.
Hernandez said, "I was prepared a lot. I focused as much as I could to finish the pitch. Since Park is the best catcher in the league, I was able to follow and catch him."
Now, he is done adapting himself to the KBO league. He just needs to show good performance that meets expectations. Hernandez said, "I am satisfied with everything I have in Korea. Even in my normal life, Koreans treat me so kindly. They greet me well, and I am very grateful to be living in a country of polite culture. I like short rib soup and pork belly for food."
How did he feel about the batters he faced? "I felt that there are many smart batters in Korea. I remember analyzing and studying until the end of the season to deal with them," he said.
Lastly, Hernandez said, "My goal this season is to win no matter what. I want to put everything on the line to win the championship because I didn't win last year. Thank you for your support so far, and please continue to give me your passionate support this season."