Im·Kim·Yoon three-way battle… KIA’s 5 starters, who will it be?
It’s a three-way match.
Professional baseball KIA confirmed four starters for the 2023 season early. Foreigners Adonis Medina (27), Sean Anderson (29), Yang Hyeon-jong (35), and Lee Eui-ri (21). The owners of the last five starting positions are undecided. Lim Ki-young (30), Kim Ki-hoon (23), and rookie Yoon Young-chul (19) are competing.
KIA coach Kim Jong-guk said, “Above all, you must have a sense of stability. All three players each have their strengths. We are preparing by focusing on what each of us is good at.”
Right-hander sidearm Lim Ki-young has the most experience out of the three. He made his debut in 2012 after receiving Hanwha’s second round 18th place nomination. He has been with KIA since 2017. He appeared as a starting pitcher in most games at KIA. He recorded 41 wins, 53 losses, 3 holds and 1 save with an earned run average of 4.91 in 184 games and 739⅓ innings over 9 seasons in his first team career. Last season, he struggled with a 4.24 earned run average with 4 wins, 13 losses and 1 save in 26 games and 129⅓ innings. His most wins in a season is 9 wins (10 losses, average ERA of 5.15), which he posted in 2020.토토사이트
Director Kim Jong-guk said, “(Lim) Ki-young has a lot of experience as a starter. As he has been doing, he is training according to the routine.”
Lefty Kim Ki-hoon joined the team in 2019 with the first nomination. He went back and forth between starting and relieving for two seasons through 2020. He had an average ERA of 5.56 with 3 wins and 6 losses in 19 games and 79⅓ innings in the first season, and an ERA of 5.37 with 4 losses and 1 hold in 22 games and 52 innings in the second season. After that, he enlisted in the Sangmu baseball team and continued to receive selection classes. He returned to the team at the end of last year after being discharged. He appeared in relief in 5 games and 8⅔ innings, posting an earned run average of 1.04.
Coach Kim said, “(Kim) Ki-hoon continued to rotate in the starting rotation in the Futures League during his days as a managing director. He said, “The preparation for the game or the training method are tailored to the selection.”
Left-hander Yoon Young-chul is a super rookie who entered the team as the second pick in the first round this year. He uses a fastball with a maximum speed of 145 km/h, as well as sliders, curves, and cutters. He received high marks in his control and game management ability, and was immediately evaluated as a sense of power.
Manager Kim said, “(Yoon) Yeong-chul is a player with great potential. He said, “The team has high expectations.” I’ll wait and see the results. He said, “Even if he doesn’t become the 5th starter this year, he needs to be raised as a starter for the long term.”
