The praise of the enemy was not enough. Right-handed pitcher Kim Dong-kyu (19, Kiwoom Heroes) struggled in his Heroes debut.
Kim Dong-gyu started the game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 13th and gave up five runs on four hits 온라인카지노 (one home run) and three walks in two innings. He left the mound at 2-5 and was the losing pitcher as the game ended at 8-17. Prior to this game, Kim’s career first-team record was one and one-third innings, three strikeouts and two runs (one earned).
It was a high-profile start. Kim switched uniforms from LG to Kiwoom on the 29th of last month. LG, which had acquired homegrown ace Choi Won-tae, sent Kim to Kiwoom in exchange for infield prospect Lee Ju-hyung and a 2024 first-round draft pick. Kim Dong-kyu, who has been in the Futures (second-tier) league since the trade, was given the opportunity to make his Heroes debut against his “hometown team” LG.
The 2023 KBO Baseball League game between LG Twins and Kiwoom Heroes took place on the afternoon of the 13th at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. Kiwoom starter Kim Dong-kyu greets the Jamsil fans after taking the mound. Jamsil Kim Min-gyu Reporter mgkim1@edaily.co.kr /2023.08.13/
Before the game, LG manager Yoon Kyung-yeop was wary of Kim Dong-kyu. After graduating from Seongnam High School, Kim was selected with the 17th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 rookie draft. “He’s a potential pitcher,” Yeom said, “and I thought he could throw 150km/h in our team. Kiwoom saw that and took him. If not now, then definitely in the next two to three years.” He praised the pitcher. “I just want him to show me until the third inning,” said Kiwoom coach Hong Won-ki. He meant that if the batting order lasted until the end of the inning, he would go straight to the bullpen.
Kim Dong-kyu was shaking like a leaf in a cold wind. In the top of the first inning, with the score tied 0-0, two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases with no outs. Austin Dean, batting fourth, was hit by a pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Austin with two outs. Kiwoom tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the inning on an infield single by Jeon Byung-woo and an RBI single by Kim Dong-heon.
The game between the LG Twins and the Kiwoom Heroes of the 2023 KBO Baseball Classic took place on the afternoon of the 13th at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. Kiwoom starter Kim Dong-kyu throws the ball in the first inning. By Kim Min-gyu in Jamsil mgkim1@edaily.co.kr /2023.08.13/
Kim Dong-gyu was shaken up even more in the second inning. A two-pitch fastball to leadoff hitter Park Dong-won led to a solo home run over the left field fence. Lee Jae-won followed with a single up the middle and a stolen base, and one out later, Hong Chang-ki walked to load the bases. LG’s next at-bat, Shin Min-jae attempted a double steal and catcher Kim Dong-hun threw the ball away at second base, allowing Lee Jae-won to score from third. Trailing 2-4, Shin Min-jae singled up the middle to score the fifth run. No further runs were scored in the second inning, but Kim Dong-gyu’s work was done. Hong Won-ki activated his bullpen in the third inning, sending Yang Hyun to the mound.
Kim threw 49 pitches. His strike rate was 46.9 per cent (23), just shy of 50 per cent. His fastball was clocked at 148 km/h. His pitches weren’t too bad, but the key was his fastball. Most of his pitches were well outside the strike zone and he lost the ball count battle. Aside from his fastball (40), he had a low percentage of changeups (four curves and five forks), so hitters were only looking for fastballs.