Korea's WBSC Premier12 ace Hyeon-jong Yang became the youngest player in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history to record 2,000 Innings Pitched.
At 34 years, one month and 13 days old, Yang (born on 1 March 1988) beat another KBO legend Min-chul Jung, who had passed the mark in 2006 aged 34, two months and nine days.
Yang starred for World No. 3 Korea at the WBSC Premier12 2019. He posted a 2-1 record and had a 3.07 earned run average over 14.2 innings of work. He allowed 15 hits and 5 walks while striking out 21, earning wins against Australia in the opening round and the United States in the Super Round. He started the final against Japan but left after three innings.
He also helped Korea win the WBSC U-18 Baseball World Cup 2006.
Yang enjoyed a stellar career with the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) league. He helped them win the 2009 and 2017 Korean Series. At the end o the 2017 season, he earned the Korean Series and KBO MVP honours. The left-hander spent the 2021 season with the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB), appearing in 12 games, four as a starter. He also pitched 10 Triple-A games, starting nine.
Jung starred in 16 KBO seasons for the Hanwha Eagles and spent the 2000 and 2001 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He is currently the general manager of the Hanwha.
