*This content was translated by AI.
In the national team evaluation game, he surrendered four consecutive hits from the start. Yet his head coach at his club showed more smiles than worries. At least a rough outing in one evaluation game did not change KT Wiz manager Lee Kang-cheol's (60) plans for Oh Won-seok (25).
On the 17th, Oh started against the Army (Sangmu) in a practice match at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome ahead of the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. He wobbled from the outset, allowing four consecutive hits to leadoff hitters Jung Hyun-seung, Jang Jae-young, Lee Yul-ye, and Park Han-gyeol. He then got Lee Seung-hyun out on a strikeout and handled Park Gwan-woo with a double play, barely escaping the danger.
Looking at his performance this season alone, it is hard to call him stable. Oh appeared in 21 games for KT, recording six wins, seven losses, one hold, and an ERA of 5.92. Over 92⅔ innings, he issued 30 walks and recorded 88 strikeouts, with a batting average against of 0.298 and a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) reaching 1.52.
There was also concern within the national team regarding how to utilize left-handed relievers. National team manager Ryu Ji-hyun (55) stated, "We only have one left-handed pitcher in the bullpen: Bae Chan-seung," and decided to use Kim Jin-wook not as a starter but as a relief card. Kim recorded a batting average against of 0.250 and a WHIP of 1.33 this season, showing more stable numbers than Oh.
Nevertheless, manager Lee Kang-cheol brushed off Oh's rough outing in the evaluation game. When news emerged on the 18th ahead of the Suwon LG Twins game that he had allowed four consecutive hits in the national team setting, Lee smiled and said, "It's fine," emphasizing, "(Oh) Won-seok still has value as a reliever even after returning."
What KT focused on was Oh's relief pitching since September. Ahead of his call-up to the national team for the Asian Games, Oh transformed into a reliever and appeared in three games in September. Rather than throwing short innings as a traditional reliever, he tested his potential as a long reliever capable of handling multiple innings, even up to three innings in one game.
The results were far more stable than his overall regular-season performance, with an ERA of 1.42. He allowed a batting average against of 0.322 against left-handed batters and 0.284 against right-handed batters this year, struggling somewhat more against lefties, but he is not typically the type who struggles significantly against either side. Manager Lee evaluated, "It's tough with only (Jeon) Yong-ju; having another left-hander like (Oh) Won-seok would allow us to cover two innings. And Won-seok doesn't discriminate between left and right batters."
This is even more welcome news given KT's current bullpen situation. The only left-handed reliable reliever, Jeon Yong-ju, has finally settled into a key role in the bullpen after a long rehabilitation period this season. In 60 games, he recorded four wins, two losses, ten holds, an ERA of 4.15, and 43⅓ innings with 43 strikeouts, playing a crucial role in KT's rise to first place.
However, his ERA rose to 5.40 over five games in September, showing signs of fading strength recently. His velocity dropped, falling to the early 140 km/h range, leading to his exclusion from the first-division roster on the previous day (the 17th). Manager Lee Kang-cheol explained, "It wasn't because he was injured. His speed suddenly disappeared. We judged it would be nearly impossible to beat opponents in that condition."
Adding to the situation, ace closer Park Young-hyun (23) was also called up to the national team for the Asian Games. For KT, which is fighting for playoff positioning late in the season, every bullpen spot and every inning becomes even more precious. This is the background for why there is no reason to insist on starting only after returning from Oh Won-seok-i (CEO). Especially in short tournaments, the value of a left-handed long reliever who can cover two to three innings when the starter wobbles early becomes even greater.
Despite the disappointing situation, the head coach has not lost his sense of humor. Jeon Yong-ju, a left-hander drafted in the first round of the 2019 KBO Rookie Draft, was the very first rookie manager Lee Kang-cheol, who has led KT since 2019, ever took under his wing. Although Jeon showed great potential during his time at Ansan High School, frequent injuries and control issues limited him to just 44 games and 18⅔ innings until this year. This season is effectively his first full-time campaign, with both the number of games and innings pitched being career highs by far.
Manager Lee joked, "(Jeon) Yong-ju and I were drafted in the same year. But this is the first time I've actually seen his face properly. That means he has done enough rehabilitation." He added, "Yong-ju is also throwing and appearing more than ever for the first time in eight years, so it's understandable. Still, I'm grateful that he performed well at least once while I was here. It's truly a blessing when players we drafted long ago step up when the team is in trouble," smiling warmly.
Even if Jeon Yong-ju regains his strength, it will not be easy for KT to hold on with just one left-handed reliever as they aim for the postseason. This is why KT is waiting for a national team left-hander, regardless of what performance Oh Won-seok-i (CEO) achieves upon return.
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*This content was translated by AI.
