KIA coach Kim Jong-guk singled out foreign player Sean Anderson as the starter for the opening game, and at the same time pointed to Lee Ui-ri (21) as the next player to start. When asked why Lee Eui-ri was the second starter among many players, coach Kim explained that it had already been an internal offer since the camp.
Coach Kim asserted, “Lee Eui-ri must do better to make our team stronger.” Last year, Lee Eui-ri was in the position of ‘fourth starter’ following two foreign players and native ace Yang Hyeon-jong. However, coach Kim’s theory was that in order for KIA to go to a higher place, Eui-ri Lee should grow to the point where he can be a second starter, that is, a native ace.
Although KIA achieved the desired result of returning to the postseason last year, it was not a 100% satisfactory season in terms of performance. KIA recorded 70 wins, 73 losses and 1 tie (.490) last year, and sold below 50%. Ahead of this season, there was no groundbreaking power reinforcement like before the 2022 season. So, in order to achieve better results than last year with this member, it was necessary for the existing players to develop. Eui-ri Lee was that iconic player in the starting rotation.
However, it has not yet lived up to director Kim’s expectations. Eui-ri Lee is recording an average ERA of 2.87 in 7 games this season. Looking at the average ERA alone, it seems like a second starter and a native ace. But when you look at his WHIP of 1.79, the story changes again. Frequent 4 balls have emerged as a problem, and as a result, a vicious cycle in which inning digestion is reduced continues. He is a player who should no longer be satisfied with the 4th starter, but it is very difficult to step up.
There has never been a quality start (less than 3 earned runs in 6 or more starting innings) in 7 games this year, and there are 4 games in which 5 innings were not digested. Naturally, 체스카지노 this leads to an increase in the consumption of bullpen pitchers. Lee Eui-ri, whom he believed in, has yet to make a full-fledged start, and one of KIA’s plans for the season is going wrong.
In other areas, there are a few areas where the season started off worse than expected. So is Po Soo-jin. Prior to this season, Park Dong-won, who qualified as a free agent (FA), signed a contract with LG and left the team. He had to fill that void. In a situation where it is not easy to trade a key catcher, great expectations were placed on the growth of Joo Hyo-sang (26), which was obtained through the trade with Kiwoom along with Han Seung-taek. The original idea was that the catchers would hold out in the competition between the two players and lay the foundation for a long-term generational change.