It's winter, but it's 144km. Will it be revived in Jamsil, the main character of the Seolum Dynasty

Dec 17, 2024

Shim Chang-min.Sports Chosun DB

Willingness to revive. Will he be able to bloom at the pitcher-friendly Jamsil Stadium.

The LG Twins are set to recruit right-handed sidearm pitcher Shim Chang-min. The club has not officially announced it yet, but it has already agreed to join the team.

Shim Chang-min is a pitcher who has had a great time since his debut. After graduating from Kyungnam High School, he was selected by Samsung as the fourth overall pick in the first round in the 2011 rookie draft. Expectations were high from the time he joined the team, and he began playing as a first-team bullpen agent right away in 2012, his second year.

And when Samsung won the Korean Series like it was a meal, it was during the Samsung Dynasty. Shim Chang-min, who was the youngest at the time, also played a role as a member of the dynasty, proudly occupying a place with Samsung's iron-wall bullpen seniors such as Ki Ra-sung.

In 2016, he made 25 saves as a closer, and secured the back door by making 16 holds-6 saves in 2017 and 5 holds-17 saves again in 2018.

He also made his career as a member of the national team. In 2015, he participated in the inaugural tournament of 'Premier 12' and won the championship, and enjoyed his prime as he was selected as a member of the 2017 World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team.

Shim Chang-min during the Samsung era. Sports Chosun DB

However, he left Samsung in December 2021 when he traded to the NC Dinos in a trade. However, the trade turned out to be the worst number. Shim Chang-min only played in 16 games during his three seasons with NC. Due to poor ball control, sluggishness, and injuries, it was not properly utilized in the first team. Even that has never been called up to the first team this year, ending in 2023, and was listed on the release list after the season.

In fact, when I thought my career was over, there was a way out. An opportunity came from LG, which wants to reinforce the bullpen. Shim Chang-min recently pitched a test pitch in front of LG team officials.

LG closely analyzed Shim Chang-min's pitches over data measurement equipment. An official from LG said, `Even in winter, the speed limit was 144 kilometers. The speed of the ball was not a problem, and the speed of the ball was not bad. I think it may be faster in the future. It was a matter of balance, but when I looked at his hands, he looked much better" he said.

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He didn't throw a game in the first team this season, but after his release, he built his body well and passed LG's test, giving him hope to continue his active career once again.

LG is showing its strong will to strengthen its bullpen through surgery and rehabilitation of Ham Deok-ju and Yoo Young-chan. FA Jang Hyun-sik and Kim Kang-ryul were recruited, and Jang Hyun-sik was selected as the new closer. On top of that, if Shim Chang-min shows himself regaining his past ball power, concerns about the number of bullpen members will certainly be reduced.

The pride of the leading player of the Samsung Dynasty and the former national team player, sidearm pitcher. Will Shim Chang-min be able to revive in Jamsil.

youll@sportschosun.com