Lotte Giants pitcher Na Kyun-an took the mound for the first time since the slump and controversy.
Na Kyun-an started in a practice game against the Asian Youth Championship team held at Sangdong Stadium in Gimhae on Tuesday, and allowed two hits, three strikeouts and two runs in two innings. He pitched 27 times.스포츠토토
He got off to a good start. He induced Park Jae-hyun to ground out to the second base, Oh Jae-won to fly to the left field, and Yeom Seung-won to ground out to the second base, ending the game with three outs.
However, he lost a point in the second inning. Na Kyun-an, who struck out leadoff hitter Park Joon-soon, sent Shim Jae-hoon out on third base error. Later, he allowed a double to Lee Won-joon for a double to center field to lose a point.
Later, Na struck out Soo-ho, but allowed another run as Park made a timely hit. He struck out Bae Seung-soo to end the inning.
According to Lotte, Na’s maximum speed was 146.2 kilometers. He threw 16 fastballs, three curves, three cutters, and five fork balls.
Na Kyun-an wore a Lotte uniform as the third overall pick in the second round of the 2017 rookie draft. He joined as a catcher, but changed his position to a pitcher.
Na Kyun-an, who has accumulated experience by taking the mound in 23 games in the 2021 season with 1 win, 2 losses, 1 save and an ERA of 6.41, showed his potential as a pitcher with 3 wins, 8 losses and 2 holds with an ERA of 3.98 in 39 games between starting and bullpen in 2022.
The 2023 season has been the best year for Na. She has created a career-high season. She showed tremendous momentum from the beginning of the season, leading her to join the Hangzhou Asian Games (AG) team. She also contributed to the team’s winning the gold medal. After returning from military service benefits, Na spent the year as a full-time starter, and will play a key role in Lotte’s starting lineup with 6-8 losses and an ERA of 3.80.
However, the joy of his private life declined for a while. Even before the season began, his personal life became the center of controversy, which led to his sluggish performance.
But that was not the end of the talks. Pictures showing Na Kyun-an, who is set to start on June 25, having a drinking party on the previous day have appeared on the community website.
Under these circumstances, the results could not have been good. At the match against the Kia Tigers on Monday, the team collapsed by allowing seven hits (one homer), six strikeouts and eight runs in one ⅔ inning. Lotte Giants fans booed Na Gyun-an who was walking down the mound. His earned run average (ERA) rose vertically to 9.05.
The next day, Lotte cancelled Na Kyun-an from its entry list for the first team. “I didn’t have any discussions with Na Kyun-an,” Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung said ahead of the match against Kia on Wednesday. “I didn’t have any specific discussions. There was a club regulation. We decided to take measures through a club meeting. We can’t just let it slide. We left it to the club. I think punishment will come out.”
Since then, Lotte held a disciplinary committee and imposed a “30-game suspension” and “40 hours of community service activities” on Na Kyun-an for reasons such as damage to dignity, damage to the team’s image, and neglect of preparation for the game as a player.
Na Kyoon-an, who started individual training afterwards, joined the team’s training as disciplinary action was lifted recently. Na Kyoon-an, who had been rejuvenating her condition, took the mound in actual games against the national youth team.