KIA Tigers’ super rookie Yoon Young-chul (19) will finally make his debut as a KBO League starter.

Yoon Young-chul will take the mound as a starting pitcher in an away game against Kiwoom Heroes in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 15th. The mound on this day is the official debut of Yoon Young-chul.

Yoon Young-chul, who joined the KIA with the 2nd overall pick in the 1st round of the 2023 KBO Rookie Draft, took the 5th starting spot by taking a snow stamp in the demonstration game and spring camp. Initially, Yoon Young-cheol tried to make his first start against Suwon KT on the 6th, but all three consecutive matches were canceled due to rain and the start was postponed.

KIA did not rush Yoon Young-cheol’s debut.안전놀이터, Yoon Young-chul first checked his pitching in the Futures League, and on the 8th he scored 9 hits, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts and 3 runs in 6 innings (93 pitches) against the Samsung Lions 2nd Division. He focused heavily on his fastball (41) and mixed his slider (21), changeup (16) and curveball (10). After resting on the 6th, Yoon Young-chul will be on the mound for the regular season.

While talking about the starting rotation, KIA coach Kim Jong-guk, who we met at the dugout on the 14th, mentioned Yoon Young-cheol, saying, “The 5th starter (Yoon) Young-cheol has stable control and pitching mechanics.”

Kiwoom Heroes catcher Kim Dong-heon, who worked with Yun Young-cheol during his time at Chungam High School, compared him to Eric Yokishi and explained, “(Yoon) Young-cheol is also a lefty and has a variety of pitches. The types are similar, so it was not awkward when he received Yokishi’s ball.”

If Kim Dong-heon is listed in the starting lineup on the 15th, he will have to put aside his friendship for a while and have his first professional match. He said, “I congratulate (Yoon) Young-cheol for being the 5th starter on the team, but I will focus on the game.”

Yoon Young-cheol has been receiving a lot of attention even before his professional debut. His first starting matchup was against Ariel Furado (2 losses, 4.76 ERA). Attention is focused on the performance of Yoon Young-cheol taking off the veil.