The KIA Tigers recruited invincible pitchers Kim Kon-guk (35) and Kim Seung-hyeon (31) and infielder Kim Yong-wan (20) on the 11th. The emphasis is on strengthening the bullpen. Two players in their 30s, boasting tremendous speed. If you scratch well, it can be a lottery ticket.
Both players were huge prospects in their amateur days. Both are from the 2nd round. Kim Kun-guk started his pro career at Doosan in the second round in 2006, and Kim Seung-hyun started his pro career at Samsung in the second round in 2016.
After graduating from Hanseo Elementary School, Cheongryang Middle School, and Deoksu High School, he joined Doosan in 2006 and played 88 games in 5 seasons through NC, KT and Lotte, recording an average ERA of 4.57 with 7 wins, 5 losses and 4 holds. 메이저놀이터
A fireballer who throws a fast ball with an average speed of 140 km and a maximum speed of 150 km. When he participated as a representative of Busan City in the 2022 National Provincial Baseball Competition in November last year, when he was invincible, he even threw the middle of 140 km. The past year was a time when earnest hearts were condensed. It can be faster if he puts his thirst for baseball that he wanted to play so hard into systematic training. In addition, there is a diverse repertoire from sliders, curves, splitters to cutters. This is why KIA recruited a pitcher in his mid-30s who had a hiatus.
Kim Seung-hyun is one of the best fastball pitchers in the league. He once drew attention by spraying up to 158km.
During his Samsung days, he was mentioned as a candidate to succeed Oh Seung-hwan. However, even after Sangmu was discharged, he was released without being able to overcome his chronic anxiety. He was desperately looking for an opportunity to play baseball again, to the extent that he went all the way to Australia to play for Geelong Korea. Going to KIA could be a turning point in the baseball life of the best fireballer in Korea.
KIA’s release player gleaning reminds me of Lotte’s move.
Lotte recruited veteran pitchers Kim Sang-soo (35), Yoon Myeong-jun (34), and Cha Woo-chan (36), who were released from their team this winter.
Kim Sang-soo and Yoon Myung-jun were top-notch pitchers who were in charge of their team’s bullpen. Kim Sang-soo is a veteran bullpen pitcher who recorded 45 saves and 102 holds in 514 games through Samsung Heroes SSG. Yoon Myeong-jun was also a key winning team that played 389 games at Doosan, recording 28 wins, 13 losses, 15 saves, and 63 holds.
Cha Woo-chan, who mainly played as a starter for Samsung and LG, is a special pitcher with 112 wins in 457 games. He also has plenty of bullpen experience, so he is expected to add strength to the Lotte bullpen.
What Lotte paid attention to in the three veteran players is experience rather than strength. It is the judgment that the Lotte bullpen can be enriched with the skill that has been through all the battles.
KIA filled the bullpen with powerful pitchers in the emission market, and Lotte filled the bullpen with seasoned pitchers. Which team’s discernment will produce more successful results? This is an interesting point of view.