Doosan Bears manager Lee Seung-yeop said on Thursday that he will not limit the role of Incheon High School right-handed pitcher Kim Taek-yeon (18), the second overall pick in the 2023 Baseball Player Draft, to the bullpen.
“I will judge the future position after seeing the player’s ability firsthand,” Lee said before the Bears’ home game against the SSG Landers in the 2023 Baseball World Series at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on Thursday, adding, “There will be roles that he wants.”
Doosan, which had the No. 2 overall pick in the rookie draft, had earlier selected Kim Taek-yeon.
With the signing of Jang Hyun-seok (Masan Yongmago) to the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Hanwha Eagles, who have the first overall pick, certain to select Jang Chung-go left-handed pitcher Hwang Jun-seo, Doosan identified Kim as a reliable pitcher.
Doosan has even decided on Kim’s future position. Doosan President Kim Tae-ryong said at the draft that he expects Kim to “grow into Doosan’s closer in two to three years at the earliest.”
Lee said, “It’s a part of the communication with the club,” adding, “It’s important to see the player’s ability firsthand.”
“He pitched seven innings in the bronze medal game at the U-18 Baseball World Cup,” Lee said, adding, “He showed that he can pitch long innings, so we won’t limit his role.”
Lee also revealed the schedule of homegrown ace Kwak Bin’s remaining games for the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
“Kwak Bin will pitch against the KIA Tigers on the 17th and the Samsung Lions on the 22nd before heading to the Asian Games,” Lee said.
Kwak-bin, who pitched against the Hanwha Eagles on Dec. 12, will join the national team with a tight schedule of two starts after four days of rest.
The team will hold its first training session at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on Nov. 23 before departing for Hangzhou on Nov. 28. 파워볼게임