Will Kim Yun-shik be able to save the LG Twins from a crisis?
Born in 2000 from Seoseok Elementary School, Mudeung Middle School, and Jinheung High School in Gwangju, left-handed pitcher Kim Yun-sik was nominated by LG with the overall number 3 in the 2nd round of 2020. His soft pitching form and various breaking balls were cited as strengths, and he recorded an average ERA of 4.38 with 17 wins, 13 losses and 3 holds in 81 career games (248.2 innings) until last year.
In particular, Kim Yun-sik’s presence shone in the second half of last year. After settling into the starting lineup with a series of good pitches, he started in 5 games (29 innings) in September of that year and made a big success with 3 wins and an undefeated ERA of 0.31. His final performance in the 2022 season was 8-5 with a 3.31 earned run average in 23 appearances (114.1 innings).
Based on such good results, Kim Yun-sik was also selected for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) team, which was held in March. But he hasn’t had a laugh this season. Before the game on the 31st, the score was 3 wins, 4 losses, and an average ERA of 5.29. The main reason is that he did not raise his body enough during the off-season while participating in the WBC.
Kim Yun-sik, who started the season as the 4th starter, went back and forth frequently in the Futures (second team) league with an average ERA of 4.05 with 2 wins and 1 loss in April, 1 win and 1 loss with an ERA of 5.12 in May, and 8.10 with 2 losses in June. In the meantime, LG’s native starting lineup consisted of Choi Won-tae, Lim Chan-gyu, and Lee Jeong-yong, and Kim Yun-sik has not been seen in the first team since June 9th.메이저놀이터
Kim Yun-sik, who calmly lifted his body, had an average ERA of 5.52 with 1 win and 1 loss in 4 futures league games (14.2 innings), but rebounded with 3 scoreless innings, 1 hit and 3 strikeouts in the match against Sangmu on the 23rd. It is evaluated that his sophisticated control and the power of his changeup came to life.
And finally, his chance came. Right-handed foreign ace Adam Plutko, who complained of left adductor muscle pain in the Changwon NC Dinos game on the 26th, was diagnosed with a left pelvic bone contusion as a result of an MRI scan. It will take 4-5 weeks for Plutco to return. LG coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop plans to fill this void with Kim Yun-shik.
Manager Yeom, who met ahead of the home game against the Doosan Bears (cancelled in rainy weather) scheduled to be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on the 30th, said of Kim Yun-sik, “I made a lot of preparations. He prepared (Kim) Yoon-sik as the first card in preparation for the double header and injury,” he said. Yoon-sik is the key to the position where Plutko is missing now. Whether we go more comfortably, or whether we put in the middle pitchers early like in the beginning, depends on how well Yoon-sik plays his role as a starter,” he hoped for his promotion.
LG, which is aiming for the presidency after 29 years since 1994, is not in a good mood recently. As mentioned earlier, Plutko is unavoidable for a certain amount of time off due to injury, and was swept in three weekend matches against the NC Dinos held at Changwon NC Park from the 25th to the 27th.
LG, which is mired in 3 consecutive losses, is currently holding the top spot with 65 wins, 2 draws and 41 losses, but allowed the second place KT Wiz (62 wins, 2 draws, 47 losses) to chase by 4.5 games. Because of this situation, if Kim Yun-sik is sluggish, it is expected that he will not be given many opportunities.
Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop emphasized, “If (Kim) Yoon-shik does well, he will continue to enter (in the starting rotation), and if he does not do well, he will change a lot.”
Will Kim Yun-sik be able to revive the memories of last September and cut off the bad atmosphere of his team as well as a rebound himself? With a lot of interest, Kim Yun-sik is expected to start in an away game against the Hanwha Eagles at Daejeon Hanwha Life Insurance Eagles Park on September 3rd.
Meanwhile, left-hander Son Joo-young, who has been steadily building his body in the Futures League, is scheduled to start as a starter in the second round of the double header against the KIA Tigers at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 9th of next month.