Samsung focused on reinforcing the bullpen this winter.
He signed Kim Jae-yoon, Lim Chang-min and Oh Seung-hwan under free agency contracts, and he had only three closer pitchers.
In addition, he brought left-hander Choi Sung-hoon and underhander Yang Hyun in the second draft, and recruited Lee Min-ho, who was released from the NC Dinosaurs, to keep various cards in the management of the mound. He now has the strength to stake the outcome in the second half of the game.
The “back” of the mound has become more solid. Then, how will the “front” be structured.
Samsung’s biggest weakness last season was the bullpen, but in fact, the starting lineup was also one of the weak points.
Although Samsung had outstanding starting resources such as David Buchanan and Won Tae-in, it had been agonizing over starting the fifth starting pitcher even before the opening of the season. Moreover, even veteran left-hander Baek Jung-hyun failed to play his role due to injury and sluggishness, and there were more positions to be filled with substitutes. Ultimately, Samsung failed to find an answer to this issue and finished the season.
Samsung manager Park Jin-man plans to get out of the starting lineup this year.
For now, left-handed Lee Seung-hyun, who was also mentioned as the next finishing touch, will be listed as a starting candidate.
“I originally joined the team as a starting resource since I was a rookie, but I had no choice but to play in the bullpen due to lack of bullpen due to team circumstances. Now I have to gain experience and compete for my position,” manager Park Jin-man said in a telephone conversation.
Lee Seung-hyun was sent to the Australian League after the last season. “I had to increase the number of pitches as I was playing as a midfielder,” Park said.
After graduating from Sangwon High School in Daegu, Lee Seung-hyeon wore a Samsung uniform as the first pick in the 2021 Rookie Draft. He was considered one of the most sought-after left-handed pitchers along with Kim Jin-wook (Lotte) and Lee Eui-ri (KIA) in his high school years.
However, due to the team’s circumstances, there was no chance to play as a starter, and the most innings pitched in a game since his debut were only two innings.
Coach Park explained, “The bullpen has been strengthened this year and Lee Seung-hyun has to be a starter in a positive way, so we have to move in time for this period.”
In addition, various starting cards will be prepared until the season opener.
Samsung has also changed the composition of foreign pitchers. It has hired Connor Seabold, an active big leaguer, as a new foreign pitcher, and Danny Reyes as a pitcher who will form a one-two punch.
On top of that, up to three starting pitchers including Won Tae-in have been selected. Won Tae-in played in three international competitions last year, including the World Baseball Classic, the Hangzhou Asian Games and the Asian Professional Baseball Championship, and needs management.
In addition, the fourth and fifth starting positions will be selected during the spring camp. The team considers it a card that it can utilize about seven starting pitchers in Korea including Won Tae-in.
Baek Jung-hyun, who was born in 1987, will also be included in the competition. Instead, he plans to use Baek as a senior starting pitcher while managing his physical condition. “I had an injury during the season and now I’m old, so I have to manage it,” Park said.
In addition to Lee Seung-hyun, about three more will be listed. The candidates Park thinks are Hwang Dong-jae, Choi Chae-heung and Lee Ho-sung.
Hwang was also listed as a candidate for the fifth starting pitcher last year, but failed to make the opening entry due to an unexpected injury at the spring camp. Even after his return, he failed to make the opening entry.
Choi Chae-heung, who joined during the season after being discharged from the military, had high expectations but ended the season with one win, seven losses and a 6.68 ERA in 15 games.
Lee played in five games as a rookie last year, and started two of them. He garnered his first victory against KT on Oct. 6, the last game of last season, by allowing one run in five innings.
Coach Park expressed his hope, saying, “We need to make about seven domestic starting cards so that changes can be dealt with during the season,” adding, “I hope we can create a good synergy effect through competition for four to five starters.”
BY: 토토