After four attempts and five selections, the Taegeuk mark is now a reality for Lotte's Kim Jin-wook, whose growth continues: "I believe I can get even better." [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

Kim Jin-wook (24) of the Lotte Giants, who finally earned the Taegeuk mark after four attempts and five selections, is now looking forward to an even more transformed Kim Jin-wook in September.

Kim Jin-wook's name appeared on the final 24-member roster of the South Korean national baseball team for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, announced on the 11th.

This marks his second Taegeuk mark after four attempts and five selections. Kim first earned the Taegeuk mark as a replacement player for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, despite major tournaments such as the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, the 2023 Asia Professional Baseball Championship, the 2024 Premier12, and the 2026 World Baseball Classic, he was unable to secure a spot on the slow-moving Seong Jang-e (CEO) team.

This time, the Taegeuk mark was earned through his own performance, making it even more valuable. This year, Kim has posted 3 wins and 3 losses in 12 games with an ERA of 3.20, 70⅓ innings pitched, 54 strikeouts, a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 1.17, and a batting average against of 0.232, making him the most consistent starter in the Lotte rotation. The national team had no reason to overlook a left-handed fireballer who delivers a stable 2.56 walks per nine innings and throws a fastball reaching up to 150 km/h.

In an interview with StarNews at Jamsil Baseball Stadium recently, Kim Jin-wook said, "Back then, I went without any particular thought. Unlike that time, I feel more excitement than nervousness now, as I believe I am receiving a proper evaluation and earning my spot on the national team. Of course, I am worried, but I think if I continue to perform as I have done so far, good results will follow."

Throughout the interview, Kim Jin-wook showed more concern for Lotte and his next scheduled game against the Incheon SSG Landers on the 16th than for the national team. He stated, "To be honest, this year has been more about surviving than anything else. Every time I take the mound, I focus entirely on that single game and pour all my energy into it. I tried my best not to miss any rotation spots, and fortunately, things seem to be going well so far."

The growth of this cautious left-handed prospect is ongoing. A prime example is the recent reactivation of his changeup, which had drawn attention earlier this year. For left-handed pitchers, the changeup is essential when facing right-handed batters. Kim Jin-wook drew inspiration from Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles) and his former teammate Dan Straily (38, Lotte).

He then worked with Lotte's data team to develop it further. He studied the changeups of pitchers who excel with sliders, even looking to Tarik Skubal (30, Detroit Tigers), one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball and a Cy Young Award winner. As his changeup began to show effectiveness from the exhibition games onward, Kim earned the nickname "Sajik Skubal."

However, starting in May, the frequency of his changeup gradually decreased. Instead, he increased the use of his curveball, which improved his ability to secure strikes. Kim explained, "I think you may have noticed that I've been trying to be a bit more aggressive lately. I always aim to throw the changeup to right-handed batters, but there are often times when the right timing doesn't come up."

Another reason was that the new changeup was still unfamiliar to him. Kim said, "Actually, I've thrown a lot of sliders, so they feel natural to me. But since I've been throwing the changeup properly this year, it's still not quite familiar. There are still aspects of control that aren't as sharp as I'd like, so I've been practicing it a lot in bullpen sessions. I also frequently consult with the data team on how to create better movement and make the changeup drop more effectively."

Nevertheless, he is not afraid of getting hit. He believes that even being hit can contribute to his growth. His partner Son Seong-bin (24) is also supporting him. Kim stated, "I often ask Son Seong-bin to give me changeup signs. Of course, I ultimately leave it to his judgment, but I try to use it whenever possible. I believe that by September, when the Asian Games are held, I'll be even better."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.