"Perfect except for home runs" Fourth starter responsibility → Has it been a catalyst for awakening in four years? The head coach is also a 'unusual' compliment

Jul 21, 2024

photo courtesy of Lotte Giants

"I think I'm completely sure of myself." It was perfect except for one home run."

Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyung poured out rare storm compliments. It's a compliment to Lotte Giants Kim Jin-wook.

He carried an unwelcome modifier called `a long-term prospect.' The brilliant past, such as praise for being the best high school pitcher in Gangneung High School and winning the Choi Dong-won Award in high school, has been forgotten.

He got a chance to start from his debut season, but it didn't meet his expectations. He has played a lot in the first team as a starter and bullpen, but he only accepted the report card of an ERA of 6 points every year. There has never been a season over 50 innings of fire extinguishing innings.

This year is different. He has played 41 ⅓ innings in nine games (starting 8), with three wins and no losses and a 4.14 ERA.

Initially, Kim Jin-wook was a candidate for the fifth starter. Barnes-Wilkerson-Park Se-woong-Na Kyun-an's fourth starter was announced.

photo courtesy of Lotte Giants

However, Kim Jin-wook's first-team start this year was later than usual. It wasn't until the end of May that he made the first team. It was to fill the gap in which Barnes was left due to long-term injuries and Na Kyun-an was left due to disciplinary action due to personal history.

After starting to show stability this season, he is being selected as the fourth starter after Ron Barnes, Wilkerson, and Park Se-woong. As both Lee In-bok and Park Jin-jin were hit hard on the 21st, there are still concerns about the 5th selection, but the 1st to 4th selection, which Kim Jin-wook joined, has more room. Rather than the burden of the past years, the responsibility of the fourth start is leading Kim Jin-wook as a top starting pitcher.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung said of Kim Jin-wook's two-run pitch in the last six innings against Samsung, `It was very good. He knows how to throw his ball on the mound. His ball control and breaking ball have improved a lot," he said, praising Kim Jin-wook hotly. Koo Ja-wook's two-run home run hit the jade, but he finished the sixth inning without being shaken by the crisis immediately after the home run.

photo courtesy of Lotte Giants

Confidence on the mound is outstanding unlike before. It is well received that he throws his ball regardless of whether he is hit or not. Kim Jin-wook "Discussed with coach Joo Hyung-kwang and took different ball combinations for each inning. The fastball was good, so mixing it properly led to a good result. I will continue to play long innings as a starting pitcher and try to contribute to the team's victory"He held himself together.

There are still a lot more pitchers to show, but it is a big fact that he has established himself as a native starter behind Park Se-woong. Head coach Kim Tae-hyung said, `Now all that's left is to get better. The ball is good right now, and it's also good to see you go in confidently. I don't think I'll go back and forth easily in the future," he smiled.

lunarfly@sportschosun.com

"Perfect except for home runs" Fourth starter responsibility → Has it been a catalyst for awakening in four years? The head coach is also a 'unusual' compliment

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