Samsung,안전놀이터 which has an empty 5th starting position, calls up an alternative resource from the Futures team in the 2nd division. Left-hander Heo Yun-dong (22) will be given a chance first instead of sidearm Choi Ha-neul (24), who is repeatedly fighting hard with an average ERA of 1 point.
Samsung coach Park Jin-man said, ahead of the Daejeon Hanwha match on the 10th, “Saturday (Daegu LG match on the 13th), Heo Yun-dong was selected as the starter. The Futures team says that he is in good condition. I also thought about the part where there are many left-handed hitters in the LG batting line.”
Heo Yun-dong started the season in the 1st team this year, but after scoring 2 runs in 2 games and 3 innings as a relief, he went down to the 2nd team on the 8th of last month. He started all four games in the Futures League. His record was not good, with no wins, two losses and an earned run average of 6.28. However, on the last 4th, his most recent appearance, he had a reverse pitch with 5 innings and 3 runs against the Goyang Heroes in Gyeongsan.
Above all, he is a left-handed pitcher who has strengths against LG with many left-handed hitters such as Kim Hyun-soo, Oh Ji-hwan, Park Hae-min, Hong Chang-ki, Moon Bo-kyung, and Moon Seong-ju. He was fine with 2 wins and an average ERA of 3.96 in 6 games against LG. He also has good memories with two starts against Jamsil LG on June 3, 2020 (3 runs in 5 innings) and against Jamsil LG on June 15 last year (5 scoreless innings).
Choi Ha-neul, who was one of the 5th starting call-up candidates, is an internal judgment that he needs a little more time. Choi Ha-neul had shoulder rehabilitation last winter, and his start this season was a bit late. Starting with his first appearance on the 19th of last month, he entered the Future Steam starting rotation and is fighting well with an average ERA of 1.02 with 2 wins in 4 games, but he is still not in 100% condition.
Samsung Choi Ha-neul. /OSEN DB
Coach Park Jin-man said of Choi Ha-neul, “He is a pitcher with good game management skills and command, so he throws well in the 2nd team, but he has not fully recovered his speed since he came back after shoulder rehabilitation. In the latter half of the 130km range, the changeup, which is an advantage, works. Now it is in the mid-130 km range.”
He can show his competitive edge only when he finds his own restraint and comes up with a certain preparedness rather than rushing to the first team. For the time being, he will continue to rotate in the Futures League.
Once the opportunity was given to Heo Yun-dong first. It is up to Heo Yun-dong to save the opportunity. Director Park Jin-man said, “You have to watch the throw, but if you throw well, it will go fixed. I’ve been talking about this since spring camp, but it’s good to have five starters fixed and stable. The 5 selection is a position that continues to compete throughout the year, but if there is a player in good condition, there is no need to change him.”