53.4% Red flag for hunting again, Lotte two-faced camp pitcher MVP
Another trouble is the pitching of prospect Kim Jin-wook (21, Lotte Giants).
Kim Jin-wook took the mound in an exhibition game against the LG Twins held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 19th and allowed 1 hit and 2 runs in 1 inning. The problem was also restraint. He only had one hit, but had three walks. He threw a whopping 39 pitches to stop an inning. The strike rate was only 51.2% (20).
Kim Jin-wook is a promising player who joined after온라인바카라 being nominated for the 1st overall ranking in the 2nd round of 2021. He switched schools once during his amateur days and only appeared in the 2nd draft according to the regulations, but in terms of his skills alone, he was regarded as the ‘biggest pitcher’. He was included in the opening rotation both in his first season and last year. But at the end of the season, his job was as a relief pitcher.
This is because his control has always been a hindrance. In 2021, he walked 49 for a total of 45 and 2/3 innings. More than one walk per inning. Last year, he had 35 walks and eight hit balls in 46 2/3 innings. He still had a lot of 4 dunes.
His pitch itself is excellent. After switching to the bullpen in the middle of the 2021 season, he showed a strong pitch and was selected for the Tokyo Olympics team. The power of his ball is good, so on days when the ball is stable, he throws a ball that is difficult for batters to attack. However, if his control is unstable, he repeatedly collapses himself.
Kim Jin-wook said, “I’m still uneasy about the ball. I’m thinking a lot about technically improving it.” He also showed results. In this camp, where he sweated more than ever, he took the mound in 4 evaluation matches, giving up 4 hits and 1 run in 5 innings. He didn’t have a single 4 dune. Lotte manager Larry Sutton was the best pitcher (MVP) in spring camp. Kim Jin-wook said, “In this camp, I tried to get rid of unnecessary movements of the pitching form and bring it concisely.”
As soon as he returns to the country and rushes into exhibition matches, he reveals a chronic problem. On the 13th, his first appearance in the exhibition game, against Doosan, he allowed 2 hits, 1 walk and 1 run in 1 inning. In the match against SSG Landers on the 15th, he cleanly handled a three-way offense with five balls in one inning. However, against SSG the next day, he had 1 hit and 1 walk while getting 1 out count. When he got on the mound in the beginning of the 6th inning and the number of pitches increased to 17, he was eventually replaced at 1st and 2nd base with 1 company in the inning. He also performed poorly in the 19th game. He appeared in four exhibition games this year, and his earned run average was high at 8.10. He allowed five hits and five walks while pitching 3 1/2 innings.
Kim Jin-wook’s total number of pitches in this exhibition match is 88. His strike percentage is low at 53.4% (47). Although he is a left-handed pitcher, he is weak against left-handed hitters. Kim Jin-wook’s biggest weapon is his fastball, but on the 19th, the proportion of fastball strikes was only 33.3% (7 strikes, 14 balls).
Kim Jin-wook was selected as a candidate for the 5th starting pitcher this year, but he only pitched as a bullpen pitcher in both the evaluation and demonstration games. Lotte has left Kim Yoo-young (LG Twins) as Yoo Kang-nam’s FA (free agent) compensation player. Kang Ri-ho (formerly known as Kang Yun-goo) is wandering around as a ‘lost FA’. Rookie Lee Tae-yeon (ranked 53rd overall) stands out, but there is no clear left-handed bullpen card. This is why Lotte is anxiously looking at Kim Jin-wook, even though he is looking forward to it. Kim Jin-wook is determined to say, “I showed an unstable appearance for the past two years. This year, I will win with more aggressive pitching and a faster tempo.”