The Samsung Lions’ bullpen has become solid. Samsung has a 5.40 ERA in the bullpen this season, tying with Kiwoom for seventh place. From the figures, it may seem that there has been no improvement.
However, the performance varies depending on the players. Notably, players who have to join the team, including Lim Chang-min (ERA 1.23) and Kim Jae-yoon (ERA 0.93), who have to join the team for victory, Choi Sung-hoon (ERA 2.45) and Yang Hyun (ERA 0), have shown good performance from outside this season. Rather, the results have been caused by poor performance of existing players such as Kim Dae-woo (ERA 54.00) and Jang Pil-joon (ERA 135.00).
Among them, the player to pay attention to is Kim Jae-yoon, who changed his uniform from the KT Wiz to the Samsung Lions. Kim has been keeping Samsung’s eighth inning with one win, one hold and an ERA of 0.93 in seven games this season. He also has good on-base percentage (1.14), hit-and-miss percentage (0.074), and POPS (0.491). Moreover, out of the seven games, he lost only one game (against LG).
Kim Jae-yoon’s performance was also seen in the three consecutive games against the Kia Tigers this weekend. At the match against Kia on Sunday, he pitched 1.1 innings, one hit, one strikeout with no strikeouts and no strikeouts, and became the first winning pitcher since moving to the Samsung Lions. At the match against Kia on Sunday, he pitched 1.1 innings, no hit, one strikeout with two strikeouts and no strikeouts, marking his first hold since moving to the Samsung Lions.
Thursday’s game was a hot topic. He had to deal with Socrates in the bottom of the seventh inning with runners on the first and third bases with two outs when his team was leading 4-3. Prior to this game, Socrates showed strong performance against Kim Jae-yoon with three hits, two RBIs and a batting average of 0.333. However, he overcame the crisis by striking out rookie after a close game with a full count.
He got off to a shaky start in the eighth inning, allowing a straight walk to leadoff hitter Choi Hyung-woo. However, he managed both Lee Woo-sung (three strikeouts), Kim Sun-bin (ground ball) and Kim Do-young (aircraft ball) side by side, and ended the inning without losing a point. Afterwards, he played baton touch with Oh Seung-hwan in the ninth inning, and Kim Jae-yoon faithfully played his role.
“During my team’s eight-game losing streak, not only myself but also the entire team had difficulties. However, I am glad that I have been able to secure my two-game winning streak because I did my best until the end without giving up,” Kim said in an interview with a television network on Tuesday.
As for this season’s goal, he stressed, “A team called Samsung has not made it to the fifth round for several seasons. It is a priority for a team called Samsung to advance to the fifth round rather than individual performance.”
Lastly, he expressed his ambition, saying, “I am happy and grateful to have Samsung fans who came to the expedition. I will continue to be a better player.”
Kim Jae-yoon became Samsung’s setup man at the end of KT. Still, the color of the closing pitcher is strong, which could be awkward. Nevertheless, Kim remains silent in his role and protects Samsung’s victory. It would be good to watch Kim’s performance in this season.
BY: 사설토토