The Lotte Giants, suffering from a shortage of left-handed bullpen pitchers, are hoping for the appearance of rookie pitcher Lee Tae-yeon (19).
Lotte has been experiencing a famine of left-handed bullpen pitchers in recent years. There was a time when there was no left-handed pitcher in the 2020 first-team entry, both from the start and from the bullpen. In 2021, too, there was a period in which no left-handed bullpen pitcher was included in the roster at the beginning of the season.
Lotte was plagued by the lack of a left-handed bullpen this winter as well. Kim Yoo-young, who posted 6 wins, 2 losses and 13 holds last year, was designated as a free agent compensation player for Yoo Gang-nam and left for the LG Twins. Kang Ri-ho, who pitched in 29 games last year, is a ‘missing FA’.
Lotte recruited 112-win veteran left-hander Cha Woo-chan (36), who was released from LG in the offseason. He was brought in classified as a bullpen power.
Of the 21 pitchers included in the roster for the first Guam camp, only four are lefties. Excluding starting pitcher Charlie Barnes, there are three. Along with Cha Woo-chan and Kim Jin-wook, Lee Tae-yeon proudly put up her name and went to spring camp. Cha Woo-chan, who is undergoing shoulder rehabilitation, is in an unknown state when he will return.
In a situation where the left-handed bullpen is full of question marks, Lotte is expecting Lee Tae-yeon to breathe new life into it.
Lee Tae-yeon, who was from Chungam High School and was nominated by Lotte in the 53rd overall in the 6th round in the 2023 rookie draft, has recorded two no-hits and no runs in two demonstration games. He faced a total of six batters and did not allow a single walk. The maximum speed of direct ball is around 145 km/h. Although his ball is not very fast, his strengths are stable control and aggressive pitching. He also showed a strong appearance in the left-handed hitter (4 players) game.
If he continues like this for the rest of his trial period,스포츠토토 he is likely to occupy a spot in the opening entry. Leaving Lotte’s left-handed bullpen situation, Lee Tae-yeon is proudly showing off her skills without being nervous.
Lotte coach Larry Sutton also gave high marks to Lee Tae-yeon’s pitching. Manager Sutton praised, “The pitching stood out. The control of the breaking ball was good, and most of all, the offensive pitching was good.”