Pitcher Lee Jeong-yong is likely to become another hit product for LG this season.
Lee Jeong-yong, who had been a sure-to-win team until last year, performed poorly at the beginning of the season due to uneven pitching. He attempted to change his position to a starting pitcher and has been boasting ‘untouchable’ performance since August. He is creating the image of the most reliable pitcher on LG’s starting mound.메이저놀이터
Lee Jeong-yong appeared as a starting pitcher in the game against Hanwha held at Jamsil Stadium on the 1st and became the winning pitcher with a perfect pitch of 5 hits, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk, and no runs in 6 innings.
He got the leadoff hitter on base in the first inning with an infield hit, but gave up batters 2 through 4. Noh Si-hwan, who ranks first in home runs, struck out a looking striker with a slider.
The second episode ended with a three-way exit, and the third episode also ended with a three-way exit. With two outs in the fourth inning, he allowed a deep infield hit and a walk to shortstop. With 2 outs and runners on 1st and 2nd base, Jang Jin-hyuk struck out a missed swing with a forkball.
In the 6th inning, when he was ahead 4-0, he was hit by successive hits by Lee Do-yoon and Noh Si-hwan, putting him on first and second base with no outs. He caught Chae Eun-seong with a fly ball that flew close to the left-center fence and struck out Kim Tae-yeon with a forkball. He finished the mound without conceding a run by hitting Jang Jin-hyuk with a fly ball to right field.
Lee Jeong-yong was delayed from starting the mound recently for two weeks in a row due to the LG game being canceled due to rain for two days in a row, and he returned to the mound after 16 days. His ample rest helps his stamina, but on the other hand, maintaining his sense of performance is a burden. Lee Jeong-yong, who was in condition for the first time as a starting pitcher during a long break, showed better pitching than before, contrary to concerns.
In the match against Hanwha on the 1st, Lee Jeong-yong threw forkballs (25), sliders (17), and curves (11) as fastballs (33) and breaking balls. As he transitioned to the starting role, he actively used the forkball and curve that he had newly learned and refined.
Lee Jeong-yong said, “I don’t think it’s easy to deal with because of the forkball, and I think the fastball is No. 1 for a pitcher. I focus on the fastball because other pitches need to be a fastball to survive,” and said that he pays the most attention to the position and control of the fastball.
When he was a bullpen pitcher, two pitches, a fastball and a slider, were enough, but if he wants to pitch long innings as a starter and face the same batter multiple times, he needs a breaking ball or a decisive ball. Lee Jeong-yong, who learned the curveball and forkball with help from those around him, said, “I learned the curveball completely new. I tried throwing the forkball as an amateur. I’ve been learning the forkball as a secret weapon since camp.”
Lee Jeong-yong won all three games in which he recently started. In particular, in 4 games since August, he has allowed 2 runs in 23 innings and his average ERA is 0.78. The average ERA was 6.27 by the end of July, which is a dramatic turnaround.
Looking at the KBO League pitchers since August, KT Cuevas boasts an overwhelming lead with 5 wins, no losses, and an ERA of 0.50 in 5 games (36 innings). Next is Jeongyong Lee. In 4 games (23 innings), he has 3 wins, no losses, and an average ERA of 0.78. These are the stats that make him an ace pitcher.
LG’s starting lineup had foreign pitcher Plutko out for 4-5 weeks due to a bruised left pelvic bone. We are looking at joining in early October at the end of the season. Kelly, last year’s winner in most wins, is in a slump in his fifth year in the KBO League with the lowest ERA (4.28).
Choi Won-tae, brought in through a trade from Kiwoom, earned a fantastic victory in his first appearance, but has 2 wins and 2 losses in 5 games with an ERA of 7.00. There are many ups and downs in good times and bad times. In contrast to the injuries and sluggishness of the first to third starters, the good pitching of Lee Jeong-yong, who has now established himself as a starter, is a welcome sight for LG.