In 2021, the first year of his appointment, the baseball world’s evaluation of SSG coach Kim Won-hyung was quite positive. Of course, there was a lack of experience as a director, and there was also a stubbornness that failed. He swung the bat hard, but his batting average could not be called high. However, there were also quite a few positive reviews that were sometimes flexible, bold, and above all, relatively open to the opinions of the people around them,
such coach Kim received full investment support from the club and in 2022, the first ‘wire-to-wire’ in KBO league history (regular season From the start to the final day, he won the championship without missing the lead) and ran to win the Korean Series at the same time. It was not simply a matter of luck that he ran and stayed at the highest level throughout the season. After confirming coach Kim’s ability and potential for growth, SSG presented coach Kim with a document renewing the contract for three years after winning the regular season.
This year, as of the 8th, SSG recorded 20-10 (.667), leading the league. It is more valuable because it was achieved by overcoming the enlistment of key pitchers, the departure of foreign players, and the poor sense of key hitters at the beginning of the season. Experienced in winning the Korean Series and securing the stability of a three-year contract, manager Kim’s season management is evaluated as smoother and more flexible.
While dominating the atmosphere of the team, this year, it is evaluated that they are holding both rabbits not only in grades but also in generational change. In particular, the appearance of young players and the growth of young players in the pitching staff stand out, and a flow of baton touches naturally amid coach Kim’s bold management is emerging. The season is still only about 20% over, but positive signs are visible at several points.
The dominant analysis is that the bold use of Lee Roun Song Young-jin, a rookie pitcher, was a result of coach Kim’s unique perseverance. There is no doubt that this was a result of the front desk, who wanted to introduce new pitchers to the manager from the camp, and manager Kim’s mercenary skills, who recognized the strengths of the players and used them in the right place at the right time. There is a high possibility that the two players would not have made a splendid appearance if it had not been for the style of coach Kim, who hotly pushes them regardless of their age when they are capable.
Here, Seo Jin-yong, who had failed several times with the finish, was entrusted with finishing again early to inspire the player’s will. In fact, even Seo Jin-yong said that coach Kim’s trust was a great motivation for preparing for the season. Coach Kim, who achieved success last year by utilizing veteran player Noh Kyung-eun and Koh Hyo-jun regardless of age, is making extensive use of Lim Jun-seop this year.
In addition, the process of young players such as Oh Won-seok, Choi Min-joon, Baek Seung-gun, and Shin Heon-min was also captured without missing. They were boldly put into appropriate positions and achieved results, and as a result, the difficult situation of the departure of foreign pitchers and the sluggishness of key players at the beginning of the season was easily resolved with an unexpected and easy process. SSG has now become a team where several generations, from veterans in their mid and late 30s to rookies, gather to create mound operations.
The field management is still evaluated as conservative, but it has been moving more agile since last year. Of course, there were injuries, but after a month of the season, Cho Hyung-woo, Kim Geon-woong, Choi Hang, Choi Jun-woo, and Kim Jung-min, who were well-received in the 2nd team, were put into the 1st team and immediately utilized, raising the morale of the 2nd team. Choi Hang, who was called up when he felt the best at hitting and started right away, hit an important cap in his first game 토스카지노.
When Lee Jae-won, the main catcher, lost his senses, the fact that Cho Hyeong-woo, who had been highly evaluated, was put up right away is a part that makes you realize the changed side of coach Kim. Basically, while acknowledging the value of veterans, this year, the entry composition is focused on performance. Some say that these aspects are Kim’s greatest strengths.
Experience has been accumulated in managing the season and how to use players to have the highest chance of success. As I wrote down such feedback and senses in my notebook and learned them, the batting average of the team management naturally increased. SSG will now have Choi Ji-hoon and Kim Kang-min returning one after another, and a new foreign pitcher, Roennis Elias, is also expected to be able to pitch during May. The more options you have, the wider the director’s range of motion. There is no point in expecting that coach Kim will be able to grow further with this card.