The confident member of the strongest bullpen 'Utuk'
from web site
KIA Tigers left-handed submarine Kim Dae-yu joined the 2023 season as compensator for Park Dong-won (34), who signed an FA contract with LG Twins. However, the first season did not meet expectations. He had two losses and four holds with an ERA of 5.11 in 41 games.
Kim Dae-yu threw a bullpen session at Narrabunda Ball Park in Canberra, Australia on Tuesday (Korea time). He improved his physical condition by absorbing detailed guidance from pitching coaches Chung Jae-hoon and Lee Dong-geol. He expressed his determination to make a comeback this season.
"I'm trying to understand what pitching coaches have to say. It's time to show what I've prepared, and it's time to make changes," Kim said. In fact, Kim is trying to make changes in the areas where he exerts his strength in pitching. This is the key piece of advice he received from coach Chung Jae-hoon.
Kim Dae-yu said, "It was about the section where I use my strength to get to the release point. After the kick, I tilted my body to the side and my posture collapsed after the pitch," adding, "I was told how to concentrate until the last minute. Now that I've done it, it's stable."
Kim tries to pull forward the tightening section after starting pitching motion. Naturally, he said, "I feel like throwing lightly." If he finds the optimal pitch balance, he has a good chance of recovering his previous good performance.
"Actually, I threw a lot when I was at LG," Kim said. Analysts say that last year's poor performance may be one of its side effects. In fact, he played in a total of 123 games in 2021 and 2022. His total was 90 ⅓ innings. "I also had a minor injury to my arm in the middle of the season. I was confident that it would not hurt, but I put it down. I thought it was heaven's will."
KIA's bullpen is considered the strongest this season. LG Twins' bullpen pitchers Ko Woo-suk (San Diego Padres), Lee Jung-yong (military enlistment) and Ham Deok-ju (injured) have exited. "Then our bullpen is the best in the league. We all love it," Kim said.
There are many candidates for Jung Hae-young as the closing pitcher. It was Lim Ki-young last year, but I cannot guarantee it this year. Choi Ji-min is also strong in Triple J, including Jeon Sang-hyun and Jang Hyun-sik. Left-handed bullpen pitchers Lee Joon-young, Kim Ki-hoon, Kim Dae-yu and Kwak Do-gyu are also on the sidearm Park Jun-pyo team, which is seeking revival. Kim Dae-yu and Kwak Do-gyu are rare left-handed submarines in the league. There are also Yoon Joong-hyun and Kim Yoo-shin. Virtually all players can make a must-win group.
Kim Dae-yu said, "Our bullpen has good diversity. We have to show that we are the best in the league. We have to do it. I have to show it." In fact, if Kim Dae-yu adds strength to the KIA bullpen like a seasoning, the texture can be greatly improved. If a strong bullpen is to become the strongest modifier beyond LG, Kim Dae-yu needs to be revived. "It's time to make steps to run again," he said.
