“In the current situation, we need to keep good players in (the first team).”
Kiwoom Heroes manager Hong Won-ki announced changes to his first-team roster ahead of the team’s game against the LG Twins in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at Jamsil Stadium on Nov. 11.
Kiwoom sent pitchers Yang Ji-yul, Lee Jong-min, and Kim Gun-hee (who doubles as a catcher) to the Futures League, filling the void with pitchers Kim Jae-woong and Hong Sung-min and infielder Jeon Byung-woo.
The most notable addition is Kim Jae-woong’s return to the first team. Kim Jae-woong had 14 holds and five saves this year, but his 4.66 ERA was shaky, and he was sent to the Future League on March 28 as a refresher. He pitched three scoreless innings in three games to improve his feel for the game and returned to the first team after 13 days.
Hong said, “In the current situation, the good players should keep coming up (to the first team). There are fluctuations because it seems to be the order that the bad players go down,” he explained.
“(Kim Jae-woong) did a good job of reorganizing in the second team. He needs to prove himself on the mound. Hong Sung-min also reported that he continued to pitch well in the second team. He had fewer strikeouts. We’ll have to see what he looks like in the bullpen,” he added.
Kiwoom (42-3, 59-59, 0.416 winning percentage) lost 8-12 against the Gocheok Lotte Giants on Tuesday. The loss dropped them to the bottom of the standings, one point behind the Samsung Lions (40-1-56, 0.417 winning percentage).
Hong said, “The bad vibes seem to be contagious, and it’s not easy to rebound when it happens over and over again. But at times like this, I emphasize, ‘Let’s stick to the basics. All we can do is tell them to play the best they can and do their best.”
While the situation is somewhat bleak, there are definitely some bright spots. Lee Ju-hyung and Kim Hwijip are doing their part in the center field. Lee is batting .341 (15-for-44) with two home runs and nine RBIs since joining Kiwoom, while Kim is batting .316 (6-for-19) with two home runs and six RBIs as the No. 4-5 center fielder.메이저사이트
Hong said, “Obviously, we had a bad game, but we have to take something from it. “Obviously, it’s a bad result, but we have to get something out of it. Some of the guys are still playing well and doing what they’re supposed to do, and that’s definitely a bright spot for the future. If they continue to play well, I think the good influence of those players can definitely affect other players in the future.”