A crisis is an opportunity.
There are signs that a “left-hander frenzy” will blow on the KIA mound this season. First of all, Yang Hyeon-jong, a native ace, and Lee Eui-ri, who is training individually with Lee Jeong-hoo (Kiwoom) in Los Angeles, USA, are firmly established in the starting lineup. In the bullpen, free agent Park Dong-won’s compensation player Kim Dae-yu added to left-handed specialist Lee Jun-young.
Here, Yoon Young-chul, a top rookie, joins the competition for starting positions. Yoon Young-chul is the only rookie among the 36 Arizona camp members. He is a promising player that KIA is trying to nurture. His game management ability and command have shown that he is not at the level of a rookie, and the dominant evaluation is that he is comparable to a 5th starter.
However, there is another left-handed pitcher that we must not forget. The first nomination in 2019 is Kim Ki-hoon (23). When I joined after graduating from Dongsung High School, I had high expectations that I would grow into a special player. In fact, at the time of joining, he received a down payment of 350 million won, more than Lee Eui-ri of 300 million won and Yoon Young-chul of 320 million won.
Kim Ki-hoon took chances in the first team in the 2019 and 2020 seasons, but failed to show impressive performances. He had an average ERA of 5.56 with 3 wins and 6 losses in 19 games in 2019, and an ERA of 5.37 with 4 losses and 1 hold in 22 games in 2020. In the end, he had to quietly enlist in Sangmu.
However, in the 2022 season, Sangmu was transformed. After consistent starts, he went 6-2 with a 2.95 earned run average in 16 games. He had ups and downs in command, but was praised for his improved consistency. Coach Kim Jong-guk also used Kim Ki-hoon as a bullpen in the first team as soon as he was discharged in September of last year. 바카라
Average ERA in 5 games 1.04. Although the sample was small, it performed quite impressively. Triple J (Jeong Hae-Young, Jang Hyun-Sik, Jeon Sang-Hyun), the core of the bullpen, had an injury issue at the end of the season. Kim Ki-hoon did everything from a one-point relief to a long relief that lasted 3⅓ innings. He was sure to receive an eye mark from coach Kim and entered the entry for the wild card match.
Basically, it is true that the competition between lefties has intensified on the KIA mound this season. However, Kim Ki-hoon is also a candidate for the 5th start along with Sidearm Lim Ki-young, rookie Yoon Young-chul, and Long Relief Yoon Joong-hyun. From a long-term perspective, it is ideal for Kim Ki-hoon to take a starting position.
Hae-Young Jung, the first nomination in 2020, Eui-Ri Lee, the first nomination in 2021, and Do-Young Kim, the first nomination in 2022, are all players who have established themselves in the first team. Now it’s Kim Ki-hoon’s turn. All that remains is to show his competitiveness as a full-time starting pitcher at the Arizona camp. 5th year pro. It’s time to explode.