Kim Geon-hee (19), a newcomer to Kiwoom Heroes, envied the good fight of KIA Tigers Yoon Young-chul (19), who was drafted.
Kim Kun-hee, who joined Kiwoom as a nomination in the 1st round (6th place) of the 2023 rookie draft, is a promising player who challenges the double career. He practiced both pitcher and hitter at the finishing camp and the Arizona camp in the United States, and is playing both pitcher and batter in exhibition games.
But so far the results are not good. In particular, against KT on the 14th, when he first appeared as a pitcher, he struggled greatly with 1 hit, 2 walks, 1 walk and 4 runs in ⅓ innings. Manager Hong Won-ki said, “I thought he would have a hard time as a pitcher. His expression was also different from practice. It’s definitely a good thing that he has multiple talents,스포츠토토 but I think the bigger problem is how to use those talents.”
Despite coach Hong Won-ki’s concerns, Kim Kun-hee did not give up on his dream of double-tapping. Kim Gun-hee, who said, “I can’t say for sure that my thoughts have changed,” said, “I won’t quit one side yet. He thinks that he will do his best in the given situation,” he said, burning his will to double as a pitcher.
Kiwoom won 3-2 against KIA on the 16th. Kim Geon-hee became the main character of the game that day with a crucial two RBIs and a timely hit in the 8th inning. After the game, he said, “I thought, “Have confidence as a batter, don’t be discouraged, and show a spirit like a rookie, but there were good results. It will be a meaningful memory for him,” he laughed.
In this game, Yun Young-cheol, who is expected as a special rookie of the KIA, started as a starting pitcher and showed outstanding pitching with 2 hits, 1 walk, 7 strikeouts and no runs in 4 innings. His highest fastball speed was 141 km/h and average speed was 138 km per hour, but his precise control and sharp breaking ball perfectly took the timing of hitters and caught many strikeouts.
Regarding Yoon Young-chul’s pitch, Kim Geon-hee cheered, saying, “I hoped he would go up and throw well.” It seems that I was jealous rather than jealous. The team lost, but pitched really well. I thought I would like to throw like that, too,” he said.
Kim Gun-hee, who regretted saying, “I couldn’t throw my ball in the first mound,” made up his mind, saying, “If I go on the mound next time, I just want to throw my ball with confidence.