KK faces Cardinals hitters for the first time; Goldy greets him with HR

JUPITER, Fla. (KMOX) - Kwang-Hyun Kim says he went through four pitches (fastball, splitter, curveball and changeup) when facing St. Louis Cardinals hitters for the first time Tuesday. 

KK went up against about as good of a hitting group as St. Louis had going that day – Paul Goldschimdt, Yadier Molina and Matt Carpenter. Here's what happened when Goldy stepped in the box:

Here’s Paul Goldschmidt hitting an opposite-field homer off new Cards lefty “KK” Kim. pic.twitter.com/sbJuJTL4HA

— Benjamin Hochman (@hochman) February 18, 2020

The 31-year-old admitted there were some nerves going into his first live batting practice session against MLB hitters. 

"(Bullpen coach Bryan Eversgerd) said my pitching overall today was good," KK said through his interpreter, Craig Choi. "But today my fastball was out of control a little bit because at this time of the season I'm not as ready. As time goes by I think things will get better."

Carpenter talked about what getting in the box against him was like. 

"He works quick, his delivery is fast, I think his deception is just how fast he works," Carpenter says. "For a lefty, everything was kind of cutting away. Righty, everything cutting in. He showed the ability to throw four pitches for strikes. Slider, curveball, change and the fastball. So I think he's got a chance to be effective."

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