Will SSG Landers be able to show its competitiveness in 2023? Although there have been a lot of changes since the combined championship, we are looking forward to the training system with accumulated know-how.
After winning the KBO’s first regular season’Wire to Wire’ in the 2022 season, SSG rose to the top of the Korean Series and became the unified winning team. Veterans did their part, and young players such as Choi Ji-hoon, Jeon Eui-san, Oh Won-seok, and Park Seong-han energized the team.
In this process, many applause poured in for the efforts of the coaching staff of the 1st and 2nd teams. This year, SSG prepared a list of recommended call-up players after discussions with the coaching staff and front desk for each part. Depending on the type of position, up to 3rd place players are recommended, and in most cases this season, they have been called up within the recommended players.
Whenever there was a vacancy in the first team, there was a Futures team that did well as a backup, so it was possible to rank first throughout the regular season. In 2021, Oh Won-seok, Choi Min-joon, Lee Tae-yang, and Jang Ji-hoon strengthened the mound, and this year, Jeon Eui-san, Cho Yo-han, Seo Dong-min, and Ha Jae-hoon were appointed in the right place and showed their presence.
Coach Won-hyung Kim said, “The 2nd team did a good job recruiting players whenever needed. It was easy to refer to as a manager because he recommended the most suitable player for each type,” he said. I am grateful to all the staff and players of the Futures team.”
During the season, foreign hitter 토토 (first baseman) Kevin Cron was released due to poor hitting. It was a big worry for SSG. However, in 2020, he found an infield geopo Jeon Ui-san, and brightened the future. Jeon Eui-san said, “Since I came up to the first team when I was in the best condition, I was able to work comfortably mentally. As a result, it seems that he was able to adapt to the first team a little bit quickly, and I am happy to be able to contribute in the first team until the end of the season. I am grateful to the Future Team for recommending me to the first team even though I am a rookie.”
SSG made some changes to the coaching staff for the 1st and 2nd teams this winter. There were “winners” who left the team, including pitching coach Lee Dae-jin. Because of this, the coaching staff needed to be reorganized, and the second team also had some changes.
SSG said, “The Future Team (2nd team) will be led by general coach Lee Dae-soo, pitching coaches Park Joo-eon and Chae Byung-yong, batting coach Park Jeong-kwon, base base coach Lim Jae-hyeon, battery coach Jeong Jin-sik, and conditioning coach Lee Hyeong-sam, Ryu Jae-joon, Song Jae-hwan and Yoon In-deuk.” said.
The focus on “player development and communication” has continued since last year. The Futures team plans to further strengthen the US minor league training system by appointing general coach Lee Dae-soo, who has worked with former Futures team general coach Scott Fletcher for the past two years.
The composition of the 2nd team coaching staff is quite important. When you manage 144 games in a season, there are always setbacks in your plans. At that time, nurturing, organizing, and supporting the second group is very important.
SSG is a team with many veterans. The age of the main beasts such as Choo Shin-soo, Kim Kang-min, Choi Jeong, Hanyu-seom, and Kim Seong-hyun is not small. The mound situation is not much different. Therefore, in order for the team to show the potential of ‘integrated championship’ in the long run, it is necessary to constantly look for possibilities in the second group. This is the reason why I am more interested in the last coaching staff reorganization.