"I was thinking about the first choice" Director Lee Sung-yong's 5th win, left-hander 'unexpected second starter' Why?

*This content was translated by AI.

"I thought about putting him up as the first starter."

There is a starting pitcher that SSG coach Lee Sung-yong (55) pointed out this season. He is in his sixth year since debut, but his total performance is only 5 wins, 5 losses and 2 holds in 43 games. Moreover, after a two-year hiatus due to joining the Sangmu, he settled on the first-team stage only last year.

It is Kim Gun-woo (24), a left-hander from Jemulpo High School who joined as the first rookie designation in 2021.

Manager Lee selected Kim Gun-woo early this season as the second starter in the team and the first starting pitcher in Korea. The reason is clear. "We need a young starting pitcher who will succeed Kim Kwang-hyun (38, SSG) in preparation for the Blue Dragon era that begins in 2028. "I put him as the second starter to grow further by facing ace pitchers from other teams."

He also talked about the back story. Ahead of the exhibition game against Samsung at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 16th, head coach Lee said, "I actually thought of Kim Gun-woo as the first starter, but I consulted with the coaching staff and decided to be the second starter."

It is said that conversations with Kim Kwang-hyun at the Florida spring camp in the U.S. also influenced the decision. "(Kim) Kwang-hyun has gained confidence through the Korean Series (two games against Doosan in 2007), eight innings and one hit, no run) when he was a rookie, and he said Kim Gun-woo will definitely be upgraded this year."

Kim Gun-woo started as a bullpen at the beginning of last season, but he started from May 24 and left the final 35 games (13 starters) with 5 wins, 4 losses and a 3.82 ERA. And he started in the second game of the semi-playoff against Samsung and allowed two runs in three ⅓ innings, but gave up only three hits and struck out seven without four outs. In particular, he made a strong impression by setting a record of six consecutive strikeouts for batters, the most in the semi-playoff history.

In this year's exhibition game, he started against Hanwha on the 15th and pitched well with three hits, one walk, four strikeouts, and one run in five innings. The only run was a solo home run given to Heo In-seo in the second inning. Head coach Lee Sung-yong said, "Now, command and level control have improved rather than strength."

Kim Gun-woo told Star News through the club, "I finished the last season with good memories. "It's good to try to see the game in a fast count with ball power," he said. "It can save the number of pitches and relieve the defense burden of the fielders." This year, we are trying to take advantage of these advantages more," he said.

Regarding being selected as the second starter, he said, "I am grateful for the opportunity given by the coach. I think we should show good performance with that much responsibility, he said. "I want to help the team play fall baseball. Personally, I want to achieve the regular innings," he said.

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*This content was translated by AI.