Kim Kwang-hyun Dilemma, SSG's Special Mound Reinforcement Strategy [Incheon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I think (Kim) Kwang-hyun should be used as the fifth starter."

Kim Kwang-hyun (38, SSG Landers), who led the heyday of Korean baseball, is expected to be the fifth starter this season. SSG coach Lee Sung-yong (55) revealed hints on how to use Kim Kwang-hyun this season.

Coach Lee left Incheon International Airport on Wednesday for the first camp site in Vero Beach, Florida. Along with captain Kim Kwang-hyun, transfer students Kim Jae-hwan, veterans Choi Jung and Han Yu-sum, Moon Seung-won, Oh Tae-gon, and Jihoon Choi were first on the plane.

The rest of the players and coaching staff will leave for Florida together on the 23rd.

Coach Lee Sung-yong met with reporters before leaving the country and announced his camp preparation plans and plans for this season. Among them, it was the composition of the starting lineup that drew high expectations. Last year, SSG finished the season in third place, breaking everyone's expectations with a must-win group led by Noh Kyung-eun, the oldest hold king, and Cho Byung-hyun, Lee Rowoon, and Kim Min.

With Choi Jeong's rebound, who had the worst time in the lineup, new face Kim Jae-hwan is expected to add a big boost.

The composition of the starting lineup, which will create synergy with the bullpen, has emerged as an important task. Kim Kwang-hyun and Kim Gun-woo are expected to make five starters to foreign pitchers who will join Mitch White and Japanese pitcher Shota Takeda, who joined in the Asian quarter. On top of that, Moon Seung-won, Choi Min-joon, and Song Young-jin are expected to prepare additionally as starters.

However, Kim Kwang-hyun's utilization exceeded expectations. Director Lee said, "I'm a little worried about (Kim) Kwang-hyun. Last season, there were many issues because of the shoulder. "I have to talk to Kwang-hyun, but I think we should use the fifth starter," he said.

Kim Kwang-hyun went 10-10 with 144 innings in 28 games last season, but his ERA soared to 5.00 as he collapsed to 6.49 in the second half of the year. He also won 12 games in 2024, but ERA was disappointed at 4.93, but it was higher last year. Kim Kwang-hyun, who was the captain, never left the team, but his shoulder condition was a problem.

Kim Kwang-hyun also said, "I suffered too much last year because of my shoulder," adding, "I think it's most important to avoid such injuries this year. Physical condition is the most important and I try not to overdo it. Assuming that it goes all the way to autumn baseball, I think we need to manage it better if we want to be healthy until the end," he stressed.

Director Lee feels the same way. I think management is necessary to use Kim Kwang-hyun more healthily and consistently, and I am thinking of using him as the fifth starter for this purpose. "Kwang-hyun is also a captain and a responsible player," he said. "Last year, he suffered a lot because he was sick. He said, "He played a good role as a leader like last season, so I'm trying to make him feel comfortable."

"I'll have to go into the season to find out, but I'm going to take the picture in my head off the entry if Kwang-hyun throws it on Tuesday. I'm not going to let him throw twice a week, but I'll give him a 10-day break, he said. "I'm constantly thinking about what I can do with him in a healthy season." I think maximizing Kwanghyun is the most important thing. "Because I am a leader, I am thinking about various things so that I can have a healthy season without getting sick," he said.

Kim Gun-woo will take Kim Kwang-hyun's position. Manager Lee said, "I think Gunwoo will go above (the rotation). I've been telling you for two years, but I'm going to use it boldly if I'm going to use it because I have to find a selection for the military," he said, adding, "I proved it all in the postseason last season. If you're going to give me a chance, I think it's better to give it to me from the front," he said.

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*This content was translated by AI.