ERA 1.07+ Kim Won-joong, who became the fourth-largest relief wall, is not a waste of 5.4 billion won

Jun 01, 2025

ERA 1.07 Kim Won-joong, who became the fourth-largest relief wall, is not a waste of 5.4 billion won
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants



ERA 1.07 Kim Won-joong, who became the fourth-largest relief wall, is not a waste of 5.4 billion won
The game between the Hanwha Eagles and the Lotte Giants at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 24th. Lotte Kim Won-joong is smiling. Daejeon = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.05.24/
ERA 1.07 Kim Won-joong, who became the fourth-largest relief wall, is not a waste of 5.4 billion won
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants
The Lotte Giants' high flight of the '3rd round' has the presence of the '5.4 billion FA' at the center of it.

Kim Won-joong has taken the mound in 23 games this year and has 2 wins and 14 saves with a 1.07 ERA without losing. Among the 10 team's closing pitchers, the number of saves is third after KT Park Young-hyun (19), Hanwha Kim Seo-hyun (15), and the ERA is second after SSG Cho Byung-hyun (1.05).

There were only two Blon saves this season, but both games ended with the team's victory. In May alone, he has a zero ERA in 10 games. I don't mind multi-inning if necessary. In the match against Busan SSG on the 30th of last month, he also contributed to losing three consecutive games by keeping the win with clean saves.




Kim Won-joong turned into a finishing pitcher in 2020. Since then, he has rewritten the club's history, including Lotte's first 100 saves, and re-signed for four years and 5.4 billion won last year. Unshakable by other teams' love calls, "Lotte is the only place I will be. I didn't even think about this transfer" has made Lotte fans happy.

After converting to the final round, the ERA career high was 2.97, which was recorded in 2023. However, this year, he literally shows off his stability like an iron wall.

ERA 1.07 Kim Won-joong, who became the fourth-largest relief wall, is not a waste of 5.4 billion won
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants
Kim Won-joong, whom I met at Sajik Stadium in Busan, said "The more we face each other, the more I should be at the center."I gave up a walk to the first batter, but I forgot right away and focused more on the next batter, leading to a good result."




"My role is blocked when I go out today, and when I wake up tomorrow morning, I take good care of myself and then when I go out, I block again. If there is a losing streak, there is also a winning streak. You have to get through these difficult situations well. If we are to fight higher, we must have the strength to hold out at times like this."

Lotte this year is a little different from previous years. Even if the starting pitcher is shaken in the beginning, there are many games that follow and flip after the middle.

On the contrary, from the closer's point of view, there are many games in which they have to suddenly take the mound. But it is also a joy. Kim Won-joong "Always preparing. I think our team is getting stronger. That's why I feel a responsibility to go to more games."




ERA 1.07 Kim Won-joong, who became the fourth-largest relief wall, is not a waste of 5.4 billion won
photo courtesy of Lotte Giants
This season, Lotte has been selling out 15 consecutive home games starting with the Hanwha Eagles match on April 24. Of the 28 regular season games held in Sajik this year, 19 were sold out. In particular, the average crowd at Sajik Stadium in 2025 recorded as many as 20,132 through the sale on May 31, surpassing the average of 20,000.

"I love how the ballpark is full from an early age. Fans who sold out Sajik Baseball Stadium gain strength. Please continue to visit us in the future."



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.