'Bulpen, catcher resources are raised in Japan.' LG pitcher Lee Ji-gang, Sung Dong-hyun, Heo Yong-joo, catcher Lee Ji-hun will participate in Junichi Finishing Camp
Oct 30, 2024
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LG announced that a total of six pitchers, including Lee Ji-gang and Sung Dong-hyun and Heo Yong-joo, four including catcher Lee Ju-heon, and coach Kim Kwang-sam and Park Jong-gon, will participate in the Junichi closing camp in Japan from the 31st to November 20th.
This is to improve the player's skills at least a little for next season.
Lee Ji-gang, who showed potential as an alternative starter last year, has been in the first team all season, but has had ups and downs. He went to places where the team needed, such as long relief, chase group, and must-win group, and threw it vigorously, but there were many things he was disappointed about. He pitched in 46 games this year, recording 2 wins, 3 losses, 1 save, 1 hold, and an ERA of 4.53.
Sung Dong-hyun and Heo Yong-joo are fast-paced prospects, but they have yet to burst their potential.
Sung Dong-hyun pitched in two games in the first team and allowed no runs in two innings without a hit, but it was regrettable that he allowed three walks. In the second division, he started as a bullpen at the beginning of the season and switched to a starter in June. He appeared in 31 games, recording 9 wins, 5 losses, 2 saves, 1 hold, and a 4.82 ERA.
The second-year player has no experience in the first team yet. In the second division, he pitched in a total of nine games with a 1-1 record and an 8.18 ERA with one hold. He pitched 11 innings, but he had 11 hits (one home run) and 17 walks, showing difficulty in controlling the ball.
LG, which had not achieved the expected performance due to the difficulty of the bullpen this season, is in a situation where it has to develop a bullpen pitcher this winter. I wonder if they can make turning points while training in Chunichi.
Catcher Lee Joo-heon also got a chance to improve his skills. After this season, LG decided not to renew the contract with veteran Huh Do-hwan. Breaking up with Heo Do-hwan, who was in charge of the team's home turf with the main player Park Dong-won last year and this year, LG created a desperate situation to raise the second catcher after Park Dong-won.
Lee Joo-heon, who was selected in the second and third rounds of 2022, and Kim Bum-seok, who was selected in the first round last year, are the likely candidates. Kim Bum-seok is an offensive catcher, and LG is looking forward to it. Early this season, he made a splash with his long-shot power, but his batting performance fell as his weaknesses were exposed.
Lee Ju-heon was impressed by coach Yeom Kyung-yeop at the last minute. He started in the match against Kiwoom on September 26 and recorded three hits in four at-bats, showing unexpected batting skills. Manager Yeom also picked Lee Joo-heon, not Kim Bum-seok, as the third catcher in the semi-playoff.
It is true that LG, which is seeking to win next season, needs a good catcher to support Park Dong-won. Both Lee Joo-heon and Kim Bum-seok need to grow in order to play in the first team. Lee Joo-heon got a chance to learn in Chunichi.
indyk@sportschosun.com
