"Why did Hanwha notify you of the breakup?" 2 billion 'ERA 0.00' major reversal → I'm using it carefully" I can't believe I'm talking...

*This content was translated by AI.

The main character who seemed to remain a permanent franchise star of Hanwha Eagles. Since he moved to the KIA Tigers, he has been pitching in a truly overwhelming position. He ended the exhibition game with a scoreless streak, signaling a major turnaround in the regular season. This is the story of Kim Bum-soo (30), who is now set to establish himself as a key bullpen for the tiger corps.

Kim Bum-soo took the mound in four exhibition games this year and recorded three holds without winning or losing. He pitched a total of three ⅓ innings, walking one and striking out three.

It was the start of the SSG Landers match on the 12th. He made a perfect pitch in one inning and announced a good start. Then, in the game against KT Wiz on the 15th, he took the mound in relief in the sixth inning with two outs and a full base crisis, handling Kwon Dong-jin with a fly ball to left field, showing off his crisis management ability. Kim Bum-soo, who pitched one inning with two strikeouts and perfect pitches against the Doosan Bears on the 21st.

And the final game of the KBO exhibition game held the previous day (24th). The opponent is the Samsung Lions. Kim Bum-soo took the mound as the third pitcher after Cho Sang-woo in the bottom of the sixth inning when his team led 2-0.

Kim Bum-soo allowed a walk for the fifth time against leadoff hitter Choi Hyung-woo. It was his first walk in this exhibition game and allowed to get on base. But that was it. He threw a slider (137 kilometers) on the second pitch to induce Kim Young-woong to hit a double play in front of the second baseman. Park Se-hyuk then struck out swinging for the fourth pitch, completing all of his exhibition games. The maximum speed was 146 kilometers.

Kim Bum-soo joined Hanwha as the first designated player in 2015 and pitched in 481 games in 11 seasons until last season, recording 27 wins, 47 losses, 5 saves, 72 holds, 484 strikeouts, and an ERA of 5.18. And at the end of the season, he exercised his first free agent (FA) right. In the end, he left Daejeon, where he became attached, and went to Gwangju after stamping a three-year total of 2 billion won with KIA (down payment of 500 million won, annual salary of 1.2 billion won, incentive of 300 million won).

Above all, he performed well last season and made a great contribution to Hanwha's runner-up. In the 2025 season, Kim Bum-soo pitched in 73 games and recorded a good performance of 2-1 with 2 saves, 6 holds, 41 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.25 in a total of 48 innings.

At the time of the announcement of the recruitment, KIA general manager Shim Jae-hak said, "Kim Bum-soo is a bullpen pitcher who can overwhelm opposing batters based on strong pitching, which is an essential resource for the team. He explained the background, "I showed good performance by maximizing my strengths last season, and I decided that I had a high growth potential in the future, so I pushed for recruitment."

After signing the FA, Kim Bum-soo said through the KIA club, "I am grateful to the KIA club for making a good offer and I am honored to join the prestigious club. Fans must have high expectations, but I will repay them with better-than-expected results," he said, expressing his determination ahead of the 2026 season.

And he has been showing off his true value since the exhibition game. The head coach is also very satisfied. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho even uses him dearly. Coach Lee said with a smile, "I'm using it as I keep it," and added, "He said he can throw a lot during the season." He's in such good condition right now. If there are about two left-handed hitters from the opposing team during the season, I plan to have them throw about one inning. It's a waste to write short. I'm thinking of it as a must-win team that can take responsibility for one inning," he said, expressing deep trust. How will Kim Bum-soo energize the KIA mound this year. KIA fans' expectations are already rising.

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*This content was translated by AI.