Lotte Giants’ Kim Jin-wook (22) planted expectations on everyone in his first appearance of the season.
He clearly engraved his presence in the head coach, who almost became a forgotten prospect.
Kim Jin-wook started the game against the Samsung Lions at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 25th and recorded five hits, one walk, and three runs in four ⅓ innings.
It was a pitch that showed a different confidence from Kim Jin-wook until last year. He caught five strikeouts with an exquisite curve on his up to 146km fastball. Sliders and fork balls also attracted attention.안전놀이터
It was an intense game reminiscent of the game against the NC Dinos (one run allowed in seven innings) on April 5, 2022, which is considered Kim Jin-wook’s “life struggle.” Kim Jin-wook allowed three outs in the first and second innings, including two strikeouts, and he struck out Samsung’s Lee Seong-gyu with two outs and runners on the first and third bases in the third inning. Three outs in the fourth inning, too. In the meantime, Lotte scored four runs through the third inning to gain momentum.
Unfortunately, he failed to become a winning pitcher. In the top of the fifth inning, Samsung Lions’ Lee Jae-hyun and Oh Jae-il had hits, and Kang Min-ho’s walk put the bases loaded with no outs, and Koo Ja-wook had a timely two-run hit with one out.
After much consideration, the Lotte bench decided to replace Kim Jin-wook. The number of pitches he pitched is 67. With the consideration of Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung, he consistently worked in the starting rotation in the second division to prepare for the day’s game, but the decision was made in consideration of the fact that it was his first appearance in the first division this year.
The pitcher who succeeded Kim Jin-wook was Han Hyun-hee. He loaded the bases with one out again with a hit ball, and Kim Min-seok pulled out Samsung’s McKinnon’s sharp ball, making him a sacrifice fly. Still, Han Hyun-hee settled the situation without additional loss, and Kim Jin-wook’s loss on the day ended at “3.”
It is the first time in 694 days that Kim Jin-wook has pitched more than four innings as a starter since the match against the LG Twins on July 1, 2022.
As Samsung’s hit hard hit occurred in the bottom of the sixth inning, Lotte allowed 5-6 come-from-behind victory. However, Yoo Kang-nam’s tying hit and Park Seung-wook’s upset hit in the bottom of the eighth inning complete the reversal.
Coach Kim Tae-hyung has been closely monitoring Kim Jin-wook since his inauguration. “Kim Jin-wook’s ball control is psychological in a big way. He has good ball control, but lacks confidence. It is difficult to use it in a bullpen session. He stressed that the starting pitcher is his position so that he can throw a walk or two with ease.”
He was never in a hurry. He was given ample opportunity from the start of the camp, but his assessment was sobering. Kim Jin-wook’s name was omitted from the opening entry, and he has never made the first team roster so far this season.
Kim Jin-wook is one of the most passionate baseball players in Lotte. Lotte officials have repeatedly praised Kim, saying, “He is talented, but if effort is a skill, he would already have become a starting pitcher for the first team. There is no other athlete who works as hard as Kim Jin-wook.”
Kim Jin-wook’s down payment of 370 million won (322,000 U.S. dollars) shows his expectations amid praise as the “best pitcher in high school.” Now is the time to reap the fruits of his long hard work.