Seoul - In the midst of Go Woo-suk's adjustment to Major League Baseball, the San Diego Padres are exhibiting patience with the South Korean reliever, emphasizing a supportive approach as he transitions into the league, disclosed pitching coach Ruben Niebla.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Niebla's statements to Yonhap News Agency during a Padres' training session at Gocheok Sky Dome, the organization is taking a considerate stance as Go acclimatizes to MLB standards. This adjustment period is crucial for Go, particularly as the Padres prepare to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in what will be MLB's inaugural game in South Korea.
Go Woo-suk, renowned as a top closer in the Korea Baseball Organization with the LG Twins, where he amassed the most saves from 2019 to 2023, embarked on his MLB journey with a two-year contract signed in January. His transition, however, comes after a brief offseason following the LG Twins' Korean Series victory, presenting unique challenges, as highlighted by Niebla.
Acknowledging the rigors of Go's offseason, including extensive travel and a shorter preparatory period, Niebla pointed out the pitcher's efforts to adapt, especially to the different baseball specifications used in MLB compared to those in the KBO. These changes, along with acclimating to American hitters, constitute significant hurdles for Go.
Despite early spring training struggles, including a high ERA and a challenging exhibition game performance against his former KBO team, the Padres are optimistic, focusing on Go's progress and velocity improvements.
Niebla expressed particular encouragement over Go's latest outing, noting an uptick in his fastball speed, which he views as an indicator of Go's growing comfort and adaptation to his new environment and mechanics within MLB.