Reporter Lee Hyung-joo = Son Sung-bin (21) drove in the winning run.
The Lotte Giants won 7-4 against the LG Twins in the 2023 Shinhan Bank Solar KBO League at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on 9 September. Lotte is in fourth place with a record of 75 games, 38 wins and 37 losses.
The game was a back-and-forth affair. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with Lotte taking the lead but never looking ahead. Lotte kept coming up short, but 21-year-old catcher Son Seong-bin shined.
The first came in the top of the fifth inning. In the top of the fifth, runners were on first and second with no outs. After Moon Bo-kyung’s failed bunt, Son Sung-bin saw that the opposing second baseman, Oh Ji-hwan, was wide open and made a quick throw. After a video review, he was called out, which was crucial in bringing the momentum back to Lotte.
The exchange, which is the time between catching the ball and removing it from the mitt, was 0.70 seconds, and the pop time, which is the total time the ball is delivered to the fielder through the exchange, footwork and delivery, was 1.87 seconds. The delivery reached 135.4 kilometres.메이저놀이터
The second situation was in the top of the seventh inning. With the bases loaded and one out in the top of the seventh inning, Son made an accurate throw to second base to catch a runner trying to steal. The throw was so good that Ahn Chi-hong, the second baseman who caught the ball, was waiting for the runner. It had a 0.67-second exchange and a 1.86-second pop time. His fastball reached 133.1 kilometres.
It reminded me of Real Muto, who was known in the major leagues for his changeup, pop, and fastball. I say “real,” but it was Sung-bin, not Muto.
That wasn’t all. At the plate, Sung-bin Son was also on fire. He went 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Son’s all-round performance helped Lotte secure the win.
Son has already completed his military service through the expiry of his commercial career. On this day, he showed his skills once again. A scenario where Lotte fans don’t have to worry about a catcher for the next 10 years is becoming a reality.