Choi Chae-heung (30) of the LG Twins in the professional baseball league is dreaming of a revival in a new team. 먹튀검증

Choi Chae-heung returned home through Incheon International Airport after finishing his Arizona spring camp on the 23rd. In an interview after returning home, he said, "I had so much fun and enjoyable exercise. I had seniors who took good care of me around me and my juniors approached me first, so I prepared well." 

Choi Chae-heung, who joined Samsung as the first designated player in the 2018 rookie draft, recorded 27 wins, 29 losses and 5 holds with an ERA of 4.59 in 117 games (486 ⅓ innings) in the KBO League. Although he was expected to be the left-hander ace who will be responsible for Samsung's future, his growth has stagnated since 2020, when he recorded 11 wins, and last season he recorded only a 6.30 ERA with one hold in 14 games (20 innings). 

After the end of the season, Choi Chae-heung was appointed as an FA compensation player for Choi Won-tae, who signed a contract with Samsung for a total of 7 billion won, and will wear the LG uniform. Choi Chae-heung, who started the season with a new team, is preparing for the 2025 season with a unique mindset, including losing about 5kg of weight. 

"It was my first time to go to the U.S. for a training camp," Choi said. "It wasn't a big problem because jet lag is usually dull. The weather was nice and it was a little dry, but I liked it because it was less hot than humid. I think it was good in many ways." 

"Everything was new," Choi said. "The atmosphere, the way we train, and the way we exercise were different. I felt once again that each team has different colors. Everyone can relax a little when exercising, but they exercise in a very serious and solemn atmosphere when playing or exercising. This is why I felt that LG is a strong team." 

Choi Chae-heung said, "Until last year, Samsung focused on what they showed in the spring camp, so we decided to make it 100% at the camp site. As a result, even if the pace did not rise, it tended to become a little too much. LG's biggest reason is to restrain itself from exercising at all. That's why I think my physical condition is much better than last year because I was able to prepare slowly." He continued, "My physical condition seems to be around 70-80% now. I felt a little tired during the medical examination, so I slowly raised my pace. I started slowly, but in Okinawa, I was still ready to throw right away."

Choi Chae-heung, who focused on improving the vertical movement in the off-season and spring camp, explained, "After coming to LG after the season, there were many good practice areas in Seoul, so I tried to improve by shooting high-speed. My wrist was shaking a lot, so the vertical movement fell a lot. If the vertical movement falls, even if the ball is fast, it tends to look comfortable from the batter's point of view, so I tried a lot to improve that part." 

Regarding the result of the efforts to improve the vertical movement, Choi replied, "When I live-pitch, the average vertical movement was 39 last year, but it didn't drop below 45 this time. I'm satisfied because it seems to have improved a lot." 

Choi Chae-heung said, "I am focusing more on controlling strength and weakness than on restraints. The manager said that he wanted me to objectify myself. I could easily think of it because he suggested a direction that it would be better for me to do a lot of research after watching (Lim) Chan-gyu. I received a lot of help from Chan-gyu. You look bright outside the field, but when I saw you exercising, I thought, 'There is a reason why you are good. A pitcher who wins 10 games is different.' 

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop considered Choi as a starting pitcher, but he is considering using Choi in the bullpen. "It is important to show my performance in any role. If you throw it, you will have another chance," Choi said, renewing his commitment. "I want to be a starting pitcher, but the priority is to do my best in a given role."