LG Twins’ high school graduate rookie pitcher Park Myeong-geun (19) will make his starting debut.
Park Myeong-geun was predicted to be the starting pitcher in the away game against Lotte held at Sajik Stadium on the 11th. Initially, it was Lee Min-ho’s starting order, but he had to leave due to a sudden injury.
Lee Min-ho felt discomfort in his right elbow after pitching in the bullpen on the 9th. He was treated at the hospital on the afternoon of the 10th, and as a result of an MRI scan, it was diagnosed that he would need three weeks of rest from pitching due to damage to the flexor muscle in his right elbow.
Park Myung-geun joined LG in the 3rd round of the 2023 rookie draft. Despite being a sidearm pitcher with a short stature of 174cm, he threw a fastball of over 150km during his high school days. He joined LG’s first team spring camp as the only rookie.
Director Yeom Gyeong-yeop praised Park Myung-geun for his talent before starting the camp. Park Myung-geun proved his potential through camp and demonstration games, and was proudly included in the opening entry. Director Yeom said that Park Myung-geun could be used both as a long relief and as a starting pitcher.
Prior to the match against Samsung on the 9th, coach Yeom mentioned the bullpen and said, “Park Myung-geun is lucky for me, and Myung-geun is also lucky. If he hadn’t seen Myeong-geun while serving as the technical chairman, he wouldn’t have taken him to the camp,” he said.
Last year, coach Yeom carefully checked Park Myung-geun, who was in his third year of high school, while preparing the team list for the Asian Games while serving as the KBO Technical Committee, and even recommended him as a reserve entry for the national team. They met like fate when Park Myung-geun was nominated by LG and director Yeom took over as the LG command tower in November of last year.
Director Yeom said, “If I didn’t know Myeong-geun, I would have started step by step in line with the LG club’s rookie training program. Because of what I saw, I took him to the camp, and (Myeong-geun) quickly seized the opportunity.”
Manager Yeom said, “I think I will have to try playing with a long relief this season and think about whether to go to the starter next year after the season is over. I think he is a pitcher who can be started well enough. He has all four pitches. He explained, “I think his value as a starter will be determined by how good his changeup gets.” Park Myung-geun uses a fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball.
Park Myung-geun has an average ERA of 20.25 with 3 hits, 2 walks, 1 strikeout and 5 runs (3 earned runs) in 3 games (1⅓ innings) this season. He pitched in the bullpen from the opening game. In the opening game against KT on the 1st, he made the mound in the 6th inning, 1 company, 2nd and 3rd base, behind 1-3. He gave up a walk, a hit, and a bunt while allowing three runs. In the game against KT on the 2nd, 1 company and 1st base induced an infield grounder, but due to a throw error by the 3rd baseman, he scored 2 runs in ⅓ innings (visa book). In the last 4 days against Kiwoom, 1 inning, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, no run. 먹튀검증
Rookie pitchers in the first round of this year received a lot of attention from spring camp. Kim Seo-hyeon (Hanwha), who is ranked first overall, started the season as a bullpen pitcher in the 2nd team, and Yoon Young-cheol (KIA) is preparing to pitch on the weekend. Shin Young-woo (NC) is receiving selection classes in the 2nd division.
College graduate rookie Lee Jun-ho (NC, 6th round) made his debut as a starting pitcher against Doosan in Jamsil on the 6th. As a high school graduate, Park Myeong-geun will be the first to make his debut as a starting pitcher.
