Ryu Hyun-jin (38, Hanwha Eagles) and Kim Kwang-hyun (37, SSG Landers) recently appeared on Yoon Seok-min's YouTube channel "Cyber Yoon Seok-min," and picked Ahn Woo-jin (26, social service worker), Won Tae-in (25, Samsung Lions), Kwak Bin (26, Doosan Bears), and Moon Dong-joo (22, Hanwha Eagles) as the next generation Ryu Yoon-Kim (26, Ryu Hyun-jin, Yoon Seok-min, Kim Kwang-hyun).안전놀이터
The key point is that they are all right-handed. In the eyes of left-handed aces representing the Korean baseball league, all of their juniors are right-handed. Even Kim Kwang-hyun said, "Lee Eui-ri (22, KIA Tigers) is not good enough yet." The seniors' view is objective. Currently, there are no left-handed starters who stand out in the KBO league.
In the end, Lee Eui-ri and Koo Chang-mo (28, social service worker) should help. Another left-handed pitcher that the industry is paying attention to is Son Ju-young (27, LG Twins). After graduating from Kyungnam High School, Son joined the team as the second runner-up in the second round in 2017. He completed his mandatory military service early on, and also spent time doing Tommy John surgery and rehabilitation.
Simply put, the only thing left is to do well in baseball. He recorded nine wins, 10 losses and one hold with an earned run average of 3.79 in 28 games during the 2024 season. Based on Statistics Korea, a baseball statistics website, he has an average of 144 kilometers of four-seam fastballs and throws sliders, fork balls, and curves. Last year, he wore a fork ball to enjoy the game.
His ball power is good, and he is expected to improve his game management ability if he gains experience. He has good deception and knows how to make use of his great height. While spending his first season as a starter, he naturally lacked the ability to digest innings. It is a problem that will be solved naturally if he increases the stability of his ball control and command. There is a good chance that he will become a native ace of LG.
Son left for Scottsdale, Arizona via Incheon International Airport on Saturday for his spring camp site. "This year, I aimed to secure more than 160 innings and 15 wins in 28 to 30 starts. I tend to set specific goals," Son said.
As he played in 28 games last year, he will likely play in as many games as possible. His goal is to throw 160 innings. He needs to throw more than 15.2 innings than in the 2024 season. If he increases his quality start from 11 innings, he can naturally pitch 160 innings.
Son Joo-young said, "You have to rotate the rotation unconditionally without injury. I don't know who the fifth starter will be because (Choi) Won-tae is out, but it's not clear. In fact, I'm a pitcher who doesn't feel like throwing more than five innings, so I think the starting lineup will be maintained well only when (Im) Chan-kyu and I keep throwing without missing."
In other words, he is no longer a five-inning pitcher, but he is constantly taking the mound in the sixth inning. "I have to take the mound in at least the sixth inning. I have to throw nearly six innings on average. I want to keep throwing from 100 to 110 pitches," he said.
Is there anything you want to say to Ryu and Kim Kwang-hyun that they have no successor among left-handed pitchers? Son said, "I think I should display an overwhelming performance and impress my name on the players." Another candidate who the Korean baseball should pay attention to is the next generation of left-handed national team ace.