LG's '150km/h super rookie' is smoothly preparing to be the joker in the second half! → Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop's grand plan: "My mission is to make him a first-division card"

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins' 'super-sized rookie' Yang Woo-jin (19) is steadily preparing for the crucial second half of the season. Under manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58)'s systematic master plan, Yang Woo-jin is sharpening his game readiness and appears poised to become a powerful 'joker' for LG's mound in the upcoming second half.

On the 2nd, Yang Woo-jin took the mound in an away game against NC Dinos at Changwon Masan Baseball Stadium in the '2026 Futures League (minor league)', recording 1⅔ innings with two hits allowed, one hit-by-pitch, and one strikeout without allowing a run. He threw a total of 26 pitches, including 16 strikes and 10 balls, showcasing stable control. Since his second-league debut against Goyang Heroes on June 15, Yang Woo-jin has not issued a walk in four consecutive games. On the 2nd, he was hit by a pitch only once.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, with LG trailing 2-4, Yang Woo-jin took the mound and faced a severe test as he encountered his first run-scoring crisis. He allowed a leadoff single to Han Jae-hwan on the first pitch, then walked Seo Ho-cheol with a hit-by-pitch on the first pitch. He then surrendered a ground ball single to Heo Yoon via the right side, instantly putting himself in a dire situation with no outs and bases loaded. This was Yang Woo-jin's first run-scoring crisis after maintaining a perfect scoreless streak in his previous three appearances.

However, Yang Woo-jin's true value shone in this crisis situation. Facing hitter Lee Hee-seong, he secured an advantageous 1-ball-2-strike count and then threw a powerful high fastball that induced a swinging strikeout. Catching his breath, Yang Woo-jin induced Kim Geon to fly out to center field on a 2-ball-2-strike count.

At this moment, defensive help also shone. A runner from third base attempted a tag play and charged home, but center fielder Kim Hyun-jong's sharp throw to the plate retired the runner immediately. Two outs were recorded in an instant, allowing Yang Woo-jin to finish the inning without allowing any runs.

Yang Woo-jin also held the mound in the seventh inning, validating his ability to handle 'multi-inning' work for the first time this season in the Futures League. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop had previously announced ahead of the Kiwoom Heroes game on the 2nd that "Yang Woo-jin will now pitch multiple innings," and he executed exactly as planned. Unlike the sixth inning, the seventh was much more relaxed. He handled leadoff hitter Oh Tae-yang by inducing a fly out to center field on a 2-ball-2-strike count, then turned Park Si-won into a ground ball out to shortstop on another 2-ball-2-strike count. After cleanly recording two outs, Yang Woo-jin handed the mound over to pitcher Bae Jae-jun.

The background behind Yang Woo-jin's steady progress in the Futures League appears to be rooted in the manager's meticulous planning. Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop stated on the 2nd, "In the first half, we used players diversely to build depth, and in the second half, we will assess the situation and decide how to play," emphasizing that "team settings must be more solid at the start of the second half than at the beginning of the season."

Especially, Manager Yeom did not hide his expectations for Yang Woo-jin. He singled out Yang Woo-jin as a 'special management development player,' praising him by saying, "I believe Yang Woo-jin has enough competitiveness to compete as a starting pitcher candidate next year. Looking at his throwing mechanism, he has value."

Regarding the timing of a call-up to the first division, he added, "He could be called up as early as the start of the second half, or depending on the situation, we will use him as flexibly as possible. Of course, when he first joins the first division, we will let him pitch in comfortable situations while monitoring his progress. He may gradually rise and become a key winning card for the second half. If there is potential, making him a first-division card is my job," revealing a meticulous utilization plan characteristic of 'Yeom-gal-ryang' (a nickname combining Yeom's name with 'gal-ryang,' meaning strategic planning).

Yang Woo-jin, the super-sized rookie who continues his scoreless streak under thorough management and planning, is sprouting into a formidable prospect. It remains to be seen what butterfly effect his second-half call-up will bring to LG's race for the championship.

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*This content was translated by AI.