The oldest player in professional baseball, pitcher Oh Seung-hwan (43, Samsung Lions), has struggled in two consecutive games in the Futures League. After allowing 4 runs, he was hit hard again with 5 runs.

On the 9th, Oh Seung-hwan took the mound in the Futures League home game against KT Wiz at Gyeongsan Ballpark, making a relief appearance in the 5th inning, pitching 1 inning and giving up 6 hits (including 1 home run) with no walks, 1 Samjin, and 5 runs allowed. His season earned run average in the Futures League soared from 36.00 to 40.50.

With the score at 1-5, Oh Seung-hwan took the mound at the start of the 5th inning and allowed a single to the first batter, Lee Ho-yeon. He then gave up a two-run home run to Kim Geon-hyung on the second pitch. The ball traveled 120 meters.

Oh Seung-hwan allowed another single to Kim Jun-tae on the first pitch, and although he induced a ground ball out from Kim Byeong-jun, he gave up a single to Ahn Hyeon-min, putting him in a crisis with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd.

Then, after a full count battle against Yoon Jun-hyuk that went to 8 pitches, he allowed a 1-RBI double that dropped in front of the left fielder. In the continued situation with 1 out and runners on 2nd and 3rd, he allowed another 1-RBI double to Ahn Chi-young that fell in the same spot, bringing both runners home.

As Ahn Chi-young was tagged out trying to advance to 3rd base, the situation became 2 outs with no runners on, and Oh Seung-hwan ended the inning by striking out the next batter, Lee Seung-hyun, on three pitches. He threw 28 pitches in just one inning.

His pitching was disappointing. He allowed 6 hits, including 1 home run and 2 doubles, not performing well enough against long hits.

Oh Seung-hwan struggled in his first Futures League appearance against Lotte on the 5th, allowing 5 hits in 1 inning with no walks, 1 Samjin, and 4 runs given up. After the exhibition game against Gwangju KIA on the 15th of last month, he needed time to gather himself after the passing of his mother, making this appearance after 3 weeks focused on recovering his game sense.

However, it is unusual that he was hit hard again in this second appearance after taking 3 days off. While the performance in the Futures League is not a significant concern for a pitcher of Oh Seung-hwan’s caliber, allowing 4 and 5 runs in two games cannot be taken lightly. It seems he needs more time to elevate his pitching.

Oh Seung-hwan is the best closer in the history of Korean baseball. He holds the all-time KBO league record for the most saves with 427, but he is unable to defy the passage of time. Last year, he struggled with a record of 3 wins, 9 losses, 27 saves, 2 holds, and an earned run average of 4.91 over 58 games (55 innings). He was severely shaken starting in July and had to give up his closer role. He went to the second team twice toward the end of the season, but showed no signs of recovery and was excluded from the postseason roster.

Having become the oldest player in the KBO League after fellow 1982-born players Choo Shin-soo and Kim Kang-min retired at the end of last season, this could be Oh Seung-hwan’s last season. It is the season in which his 2-year, 2.2 billion won free agency contract expires. Although he prepared for the season as a middle reliever in the 6th or 7th inning rather than as a closer, returning to the first team immediately is challenging.

Samsung has been smoothly climbing to 2nd place with a record of 9 wins and 5 losses (.643 winning percentage) as of the 8th. However, the bullpen's earned run average ranks 6th (4.59), making it somewhat unstable. If Oh Seung-hwan can elevate his condition, he can definitely earn a spot in the first team. The season is a long race, and the more pitchers in the bullpen, the better.

[OSEN]