KT's new winning team is made like this
from web site
KT Wiz lost its built-in closer Kim Jae-yoon. The veteran pitcher, who became an FA, chose to go to the Samsung Lions on condition that he receive a total of 5.8 billion won.
That doesn't mean that the back door to KT will collapse. Rather, the team has only a bright future. Young must-win teams have already upgraded their players to first-team players. After two seasons as a high school graduate, Park Young-hyun stands out as a new closing candidate. Son, who boosted his value with his "twist pitching" that surprised everyone in the postseason last season, is also drawing keen attention from the new season. What else should we explain about his performance as MVP of the playoffs against the NC Dinos? The fact that a bullpen pitcher was named MVP was truly remarkable.
Park Young-hyun will finish the drawing, and Son Dong-hyun will play the role of the winning team in the eighth inning, which Park Young-hyun played. However, baseball does not know. There is no law that bans Son from finishing the game. The decision is made by Lee Kang-cheol, who watched the spring camp and exhibition games. However, it seems natural that Son will play the key role of KT's bullpen in any position.
Nevertheless, he is humble. "Actually, I don't think I have a seat yet. Senior pitchers have always said, 'You have to keep it steady for at least three years to get your seat. That's why I never get complacent. I am training with the mindset that I will compete again in the spring camp," Son said.
When asked how he was preparing for the offseason, he said, "I exercise while thinking of the best times of the last season. In particular, coach Je Chun-mo taught me a lower body balance program, so I'm focusing on exercising. My coach gave me a mission. When there is a video call anytime, anywhere in the offseason, I take the pitching posture that I promised. It's a way to not forget the exercise process and always think about it, but a few days ago, I was at a coin karaoke with my friends, and a video call came and I did a pitching motion in front of the karaoke room," he said with a smile.
"I have Young-hyun, but officially, the seventh and eighth innings and the closing seats are available. I think the competition will be very fierce," Son said of the KT must-win group competition. "I would be lying if I didn't have a desire to finish the game." He made his first save since his debut (against the Daegu Samsung Lions on May 27, 2023) last year, and it definitely felt different. It was very thrilling after the victory, considering that the hard work of his team members who worked hard for nine innings depends on my hands. That's why I have a desire to finish the game."
Asked about his experience in pitching quality in baseball in the fall of last season, Son said, "The manager also told me that after the postseason, I will be able to play with a different feeling next season. At the time, I couldn't believe what he was talking about, but now I can feel it. He endured the heavy pressure of the big game. I think I can do better in the regular season with more confidence. From the beginning, I had the confidence to throw the ball without shaking in front of a full crowd. I have the belief that I can throw my ball in any crisis situation."
Regarding his goal for this season, Son said, "Competing is important, but my dream is to become a must-win group that the team trusts. When Samsung was leading up to the fifth inning during the reign of King Gojong, it would have been to see bullpen TOOTHs come out and win no matter what." "I want to build such an iron wall must-win group with our team's pitchers including Young-hyun," Son said. "My personal goal is to work out full-time in the first division. I was in the first division except for two days last year, and I am paying attention to my physical fitness so as not to affect the aftermath. In terms of numbers, I want to challenge for 20 holds. If you are a quality bullpen pitcher in the league, you are likely to hold that much. And when there were runners last year, you gave me a lot of points. I want to become a pitcher who keeps scores and wins a lot of holds," he confidently said.
