LG's left-hander is 'unwilling' ahead of the 'Three-strike-Three-Strike' FA', Already 141km bang! Expectations for the head coach are growing

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins left-hander Ham Deok-joo (31) is also raising expectations for manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) in good condition.

Ham Deok-ju played a scoreless game with one walk and three strikeouts in one inning against the KIA Tigers in a 2026 spring camp practice game held at Kintown Baseball Stadium in Kinne, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 6th.

The game ended with LG's 6-9 defeat in the midst of a slugfest, but the good pitching of must-win groups such as Ham Deok-ju and Jang Hyun-sik was positive. In particular, Ham Deok-ju made fans excited by striking out all out counts. Ham Deok-ju, who took the mound as the second pitcher after starter Lim Chan-kyu, walked Lee Chang-jin, the first batter. However, he quickly struck out against Kim Seok-hwan by catching two strikes and putting a 129km/h slider deep into his body.

After a hit by Kim Kyu-sung, he resumed his strikeout streak once again. Against right-handed hitter Park Min, with one out and runners on the first and second bases, this time, he put a 140km/h fastball on the same course, drawing a swing and miss. KIA hitters were helpless in the fastball similar to the changeup. In the subsequent at-bat, left-handed batter Park Jung-woo gave up his bat on a 141km/h fastball coming in at the top of the outside. It was an outspoken pitch despite being on the verge of hitting second and third bases with two outs due to wild pitches.

According to LG team officials, Ham Deok-joo was one of the pitchers who has been consistently evaluated since the U.S. spring camp. Ham Deok-ju started to build his body after the Korean Series last year for the first-team spring camp in three years and showed its results.

At the time of his departure in January, Ham Deok-ju said, "This year, the preparation process from the off-season was good. I paid a lot of attention to throwing the ball well rather than weight training. Even when he went to Japan, he trained mainly on flexibility and range of motion. I tried to throw as much as I could because my arm didn't hurt, but I was prepared well," he said. "I made a bold change. The increase in arrest that I had prepared was also achieved well, and it was an opportunity to find confidence," he said.

It is one of the four bullpen players selected by the head coach to do well this year. Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop, who met at the Okinawa spring camp in Japan, said, "Overall, including Ham Deok-ju, it was not bad. I think the left-hander bullpen is more important than the fifth starter this year. Samsung's left-hander bullpen is also key, but left-handed batters can also enter from 1 to 9."

He said, "From May, Wells, Ham Deok-ju and Kim Yoon-sik will enter the left-hander's bullpen. These 3 will be on the entry list. If Chirinos throws it on Tuesday and takes a Sunday off If you think about it, the three will go out on Sunday," he said.

He mentioned the possibility of playing on bullpen day with three left-handers who were pointed out as weaknesses, similar to last year's emphasis on the importance of six starts. Expectations for Lachlan Wells, who can also be a starting pitcher, and Ham Deok-ju, who can play multiple innings with Kim Yoon-sik, are also a glimpse.

Looking at the process so far, it is unusual. In the meantime, manager Yeom said, "Ham Deok-ju is a pitcher who can throw 142 kilometers per hour." Ham Deok-ju has already thrown a ball of 141km/h, so his condition can be guessed.

It is an important season for him as much as LG, which is trying to win its second consecutive title. Ham Deok-ju can become an FA depending on his choice after this season. This is because there is an opt-out clause in the last year of the four-year contract (breaking the contract due to the exercise of FA rights during the contract period).

However, the FA will erase it from his head and enter the 2026 season. Ham Deok-joo said, "My goal this year is to play full season for one season without injury," adding, "I felt sorry for the fans because I was sick and couldn't show a good performance." I can't undo that. However, I believe that if I do well in the future, I will support you a lot. I will work hard with the mindset that I will start anew this season," he said before leaving the country.

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*This content was translated by AI.