 |
| Lotte won the game between Lotte and NC at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 11th, 7 to 5. Kim Won-joong is happy after the game. Busan = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.04.11/ |
|
 |
| photo courtesy of Lotte Giants |
|
 |
| photo courtesy of Lotte Giants |
|
This is Kim Won-joong's report card, who was reborn as a "guardian god" with seven saves and Blon 0.
Kim Won-joong (32) is showing off the back door of the steel wall that leads the Lotte Giants to rise. He has a zero ERA in eight games and nine innings in April.
On the 2nd, his first appearance in April, he took the mound from a four-run gap against the Hanwha Eagles and recorded one scoreless inning, and has been on a seven-game scoreless save streak since then. There were three multi-innings, but all of them were responsible without mistakes. Six of the seven games were bloodshed below two points, but they defended well without shaking.
It is an extraordinary year for Kim Won-joong. After finishing the last season, he became an FA. It was stamped with a total of 5.4 billion won (optional 1 billion won) for four years. As a one-club man who has played only in Lotte since joining the team, he has put weight on loyalty and loyalty. Except for Lotte, there were proposals from three teams, but Lotte was put first throughout the negotiation period without weighing.
 |
| Lotte Kim Won-joong is pitching hard in a game between Lotte and NC held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 11th. Busan = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.04.11/ |
|
And I refused to offer a better amount of money and stayed in Busan. On the same day as Koo Seung-min (2+2 years and 2.1 billion won), who has been responsible for the back door like a set menu in recent years, visited the club's office and stamped side by side. Jang Hyun-sik of the LG Twins, who was classified as the biggest fish in the bullpen together, signed a four-year, 5.2 billion-won guarantee contract, and Kim Jae-yoon also signed a four-year, 5.8 billion won seal with the Samsung Lions the previous day, and as Kim Won-joong said, 'Royalty' was given.
After signing the contract, he cut his trademark long hair short and returned to his short hair during the days of 'Sajik Idol'. In response to this, Kim Won-joong knew that fans would say 'Cut the hair you don't want to see first if I didn't show a good performance. It was motivation to do betterHe cut his hair without regret when he signed an FA contract.
The simplification of the so-called 'tap dance' pitching routine, which was pointed out as a weakness, is remarkable. The preparation for the pitch clock, which was pointed out throughout the last season, is also perfect so far. The fastball ball has revived, and he is showing off his stability by mixing sliders with the existing fastball-fork ball. In particular, he stands out for his ability to strike out consecutively at every crisis.
 |
| photo courtesy of Lotte Giants |
|
Lotte still has a light bullpen. Jung Chul-won, who was acquired through trade, is almost the only must-win team, and Chung Hyun-soo is also burdened enough to record the highest number of appearances in the league. It is not easy until Koo Seung-min and Choi Jun-yong return.
Still, veteran Park Si-young is in good condition, and closer Kim Won-joong is holding out like an iron wall, which gives strength to the mound. Park Se-woong is also playing well in the starting lineup, predicting the best season of his life. Lotte recorded 13 wins and 7 losses in April, rising to second place in the league with an explosive monthly rise in first place with the LG Twins. Will Lotte fans' expectations that it will be different this year, in the second year of head coach Kim Tae-hyung, be able to repay them.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
