156km LG Monster Rookie → The secret to promotion to the must-win group? It's totally different from the first half...Wait for the Korean Series!

Aug 19, 2025

Kim Young-woo for the interview. Reporter Kim Young-rok

LG Kim Young-woo is pitching hard in a game between Lotte and LG at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 19th. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.08.19/

The LG Twins' monster rookie has already been reborn as a must-win group.

LG won 5-2 against Lotte at Jamsil Stadium on the 19th, continuing its lead in a good mood. LG continued its lead, while Lotte faced its ninth consecutive losing streak in 20 years since 2005. As SSG Landers lost on the day, they managed to keep third place.

Starting Tolhurst pitched well with six scoreless innings, and Kim Jin-sung and Kim Young-woo's must-win group stably followed. Jang Hyun-sik was shaken with two runs, but Yoo Young-chan finished the game neatly.

The batters also consistently created chances, and the first point that penetrated the opponent's loopholes stood out. When the opportunity came, Moon Sung-joo hit a timely hit, and veteran Kim Hyun-soo's home run sealed the game. Kim Hyun-soo's home run was also of great importance considering his two runs in the top of the ninth inning.

In particular, the stability of rookie Kim Young-woo, who was promoted to the must-win group on the day, stood out. Kim Young-woo, who took the mound in the top of the eighth inning with a 3-0 lead, recorded a clean three-way exit with 13 balls, including strikeouts.

LG Kim Young-woo is pitching hard in a game between Lotte and LG at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 19th. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.08.19/

Kim Young-woo said "The director 'Now he keeps going in a tight situation. Don't mind the difference and throw it as you do. Keep it up with such confidence. I took the word to heart. I didn't care about the hold situation. I just wanted to avoid it aggressively."

Then "I think the slider became the key in the second half of the year." I couldn't throw like this in the first half, but I practiced a lot with the coaches, so I gained a lot of confidence. Throwing it in the match continues to bring good results. He expressed his pride, saying, "I can use it for unfavorable counts, and I can use it as a decision ball when I'm in an advantageous position."

The last ball of all three hitters on the day was a slider. Yoo Kang-nam and Jeon Min-jae were Park Dong-won's lead, and when he caught Park Chan-hyung, he crossed the body's fastball sign and chose a slider. "The slider wanted to throw more. These days, sliders are controlling well, so I think there are more misstatementsThere are sliders in the early 140s and sliders in the mid to late 130s. He explained, "I throw it like a slider when I catch a count and a cut fastball when I hit a crystal ball."

Even though he is a rookie, his fastball speed still reaches up to 155,156km. Kim Young-woo said "The coach manages the number of games, innings, and balls thoroughly. Training coaches are responsible for physical conditions, and they also taught us all good ways to recover. I just trusted and followed it completely, but I recovered well, I didn't lose my restraint, and I'm in good condition right now."

Kim Young-woo for the interview. Reporter Kim Young-rok

Then "Pilseungjo is an opportunity for me. When the opportunity comes, you have to catch it. Regardless of the result, I will do my best without regret. Ahn Hyun-min is doing so well in the Rookie of the Year award, and that's a variable I can't control. I just do my best to do what I can."

"Honestly, I didn't know I would be this good. I'm doing fine without injury, and I want to challenge the starting pitcher after next year. It's an honor for me to play for the No. 1 team right now, and I'm overwhelmed just to draw myself taking the mound in the Korean Series."

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.