Starting wins, QS, water baptism were all newI was so touched by the first nominee

Jul 01, 2025

사진=김용 기자

"I couldn't believe it. It was so overwhelming."

The glory of primary nomination, it does not go to anyone. The first nomination title can only be given to players who had the modifier 'best' when they were amateur.

That doesn't mean all of those players will succeed. It's just starting with a high probability of success. If you don't adapt to the harsh professional world, you're culled. It's all the same, whether it's the first designated player or the last player in the 10th round. Looking at the recent KIA Tigers' 10th round Shinhwa pitcher Sung Young-tak, it proves that the performance is not in the order of designation.

Park Joo-sung of the Kiwoom Heroes graduated from Gyeonggi High School in 2019 and was a prospect who received the first nomination from Nexen, the predecessor of Kiwoom. The fastball in the mid-to-late 140km was heavy, and even though he was a young player, he had a temperament to be a matchmaker.

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However, his professional life was not smooth. He played only four games in his rookie season and three games the following year. In the 2021 season, he played 13 games and 18 ⅓ innings, but his performance was only one loss. After twists and turns in the 2022 season, he won his first professional victory. But it was a relief victory. I couldn't expect the starting win that I always dreamed of in my heart. Since we didn't have a chance to start.

I returned from military service in Sangmu. Ahead of this season, he prepared as a starter. But the pace in the spring camp was not good. He was eliminated from the selection competition. He was also struggling to get a chance with the bullpen.

Then came the opportunity. On May 24, he allowed two runs in four innings against KT Wiz. Later, he went to the second division, and head coach Hong Won-ki did not forget this appearance. He got his first chance to start against SSG Landers on the 19th of last month. It was the first time since our debut. It was a bullpen when he came to the first team, but he consistently played in the second team. He also trained as a starter in Sangmu. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

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Although he did not win, he pitched well with one run in five innings. And on the 1st, the opportunity came again against KT. And I took the opportunity right. Two runs in six innings. It was the first start of the game. It was his first time pitching in six innings and quality start. Kiwoom's teammates presented Park Joo-sung, who won his first thrilling start, with a cool water ceremony.

Park Joo-sung said after the game, `I'm so relieved. It's just nice. Of course, it's a little cold." Park Joo-sung continued "It was significant in itself that he could start rather than win." The results seem to have been followed by the coaches' advice. Working hard as a starter in the second division and Sangmu was an opportunity to gain confidence. I was overwhelmed to come down after pitching in the sixth inning. I couldn't believe it" he said.

Hong said he would decide whether to join the starting rotation in the future after seeing Park Joo-sung's pitch. I won, but there's no reason to lose. If Park Joo-sung is good as the fifth starter in Alcantara, Ha Young-min, Wells, and Jung Hyun-woo, Kiwoom can also dream of a big turnaround in the second half. Park Joo-sung said, `It's too early to say prematurely that we've played two games now. Still, if I keep playing well, I'll have my own. I want to be a pitcher who consistently and gives the least number of runs. I wish I could continue as a starter," he said shyly.

The game between Kiwoom and SSG at Gocheok Dome in Seoul on the 19th. Kiwoom Park Joo-sung who is pitching as a starter. Gocheok = Song Jeong-heon Reporter songs@sportschosun.com/2025.06.19/

Park Joo-sung allowed two runs on the day, and Ahn Hyun-min hit back-to-back home runs. A slugger that everyone has avoided lately. Park, however, played valiantly. He said "Avoidance doesn't improve the result, and I thought I had to stick to it to reduce the number of pitches. Without being conscious of the opponent, I threw thinking they were all the same batters. Of course, if the score difference was tight, I think I would have pitched to avoid it a little bit."

The first fruit I got in over six years since joining. Park Joo-sung said, `I felt sorry for not doing well so far. In the future, I want to play baseball with confidence and become a helpful player for the team. My biggest goal this season is to play without injury."

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.