He has the strongest physical strength compared to other pitchers. Can Lotte Giants pitcher Na Kyun-an (26) make it to the top five while atonement for his loss.먹튀검증
The reason why Lotte’s season did not go smoothly this season is that its starting lineup did not go smoothly. While only a few teams have their own starting lineup that they had envisioned throughout the season, Lotte also had its own native starting lineup in trouble. It was hoped that the team would play a minimal role until the fourth starting pitcher, but the team was out of sync in the early part of the season, or even before the start of the season. Na, who had to serve as the fourth starting pitcher, was disturbed both inside and outside the team due to personal history issues during the second spring camp. Even after the season’s opening, Na was given an opportunity, but rarely did his part.
Then, on June 25, he again became the center of controversy ahead of his starting pitcher at the match against Kia Tigers. Photos of him at a drinking party spread on the Internet until midnight the day before the starting pitcher. Lotte recognized the fact and tried to substitute for the starting pitcher, but it was impossible due to regulations. He continued to start the game, but the result was disastrous. In the first ⅔ inning, he allowed seven hits (one homer) and six walks, and eight runs. When he was walking down the mound, fans booed him rather than cheering him on. Na Kyoon-an lost public sentiment.
He even lost the trust of the club and its coach Kim Tae-hyung who gave him the opportunity. Na was suspended for 30 games and given 40 hours of community service due to loss of reputation and lack of self-management. Although the disciplinary action was lifted in mid-August, he conducted individual training under the approval of the CEO from early August, and joined the second-tier training after the disciplinary action was lifted.
Na Kyun-an allowed two runs in two innings in a practice match with the youth team participating in the Asian Youth Championship, but his fastball speed hit up to 146km, confirming his normal physical condition and returning to the first team with an extended entry in September.
As soon as he returned to the first team, he played his return match against Doosan Bears in Jamsil on Sunday. He pitched in the 11th inning to overcome the crisis of ending the game, and secured a relief win by allowing one hit, four strikeouts and no runs in two innings. “I would have felt the most pressure on myself. Actually, I looked at the timing of his return match once, and I put up Kim Kang-hyun just in case I felt pressure,” Kim said. “He pitched so well in the background.”
On how to use Na Kyun-an in the future, he said he would use her as a key to the bullpen, not as a starting pitcher. “I think we can put her in the back of the starting lineup when we win, and depending on the situation, we can use her as a must-winner. Wasn’t she supposed to be a pitcher like that? With Na Kyun-an’s arrival, the team’s depth in the winning team has also increased. Now, we can arrange pitchers in the winning team.”
Madangsoe is not an unfamiliar role to Na. He settled down as a starting pitcher from August of the 2022 season, but until then, Na was an all-weather all-around talent card. Starting with long relievers, he pitched well, playing chasing team, must-win team, and finishing pitcher. Na successfully completed this role in his own right. In the 2022 season, Na pitched in 39 games and started in 13 games. He recorded three wins, eight losses and two holds with an ERA of 3.98 in 117 ⅔ innings. He posted an ERA of 4.16 and a relief ERA of 3.69.
Although Na Kyun-an does not have much experience in consecutive pitching as he plays various roles in the bullpen, he should not only throw consecutive games but also play the role of a key player that manager Kim Tae-hyung wants. Right now, Lotte’s bullpen is very tired. Pilseung teams such as Kim Sang-soo and Koo Seung-min take the mound frequently. Due to the loose bullpen, pitchers who must-win teams are heavily burdened. Na Kyun-an can help ease this burden.
Na Kyun-an, who returned from disciplinary action, is currently the most energetic pitcher. In fact, Na Kyun-an played in the most games at Lotte in the three seasons from 2021 to 2023 regardless of the starting bullpen and even played in international competitions. Fatigue was accumulating, but paradoxically, it was a period of rest as he was away from the mound due to about two months of disciplinary action.
Now, Na must take the mound at the expense of his strong physical stamina and shoulders. Manager Kim Tae-hyung already announced his intention to use the card as an all-around player, and Na Kyun-an also played in the match against Doosan on Sunday and the match against Samsung in Daegu on Sunday. He took the mound at the eighth inning when his team was losing 1-3, but garnered one out count before being hit by Koo Ja-wook with a solo shot.