Doosan Bears fireballer Kim Yoo-sung (23) was early pulled from the game again due to control issues. He failed to meet the task of increasing his strike percentage.

Kim Yoo-sung started as a pitcher in the game against LG at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 12th. This was his third start of the season. He was early pulled from the game on the 6th against Lotte after 1⅓ innings, allowing 3 hits, 3 walks, and 5 earned runs.

Before the game against LG, Doosan manager Lee Seung-yup noted, "Kim Yoo-sung is always told that if he just throws strikes, and if his strike percentage improves a bit, he could be an excellent player. However, he often loses in battles with himself before facing the opponent, causing him to collapse before even competing. I think that’s the key point."

Kim Yoo-sung struggled in the first inning. He allowed leadoff hitter Shin Min-jae to walk after a 9-pitch battle. However, he caught a break by getting an out with a pickoff at first base. After two outs, he walked Austin on four straight pitches but struck out Moon Bo-kyung to end the inning. However, he threw 30 pitches.

In the second inning, he recorded two strikes within three pitches, finishing the inning against Oh Ji-hwan, Moon Seong-joo, and Park Dong-won in order. Moon Seong-joo and Park Dong-won were struck out consecutively. As the manager said, he threw strikes, gained favorable counts, and achieved good results with powerful fastballs and changeup pitches. The third inning also ended in a three-up, three-down.

However, it was another crisis in the fourth inning. With one out and a runner on first, he recorded two strikes against Moon Bo-kyung but followed with four consecutive balls. He allowed a single to Oh Ji-hwan, giving up the first run. He allowed another single to Moon Seong-joo, but thanks to a precise home throw from right fielder Cave, the runner at second was out, which was fortunate. He hit Park Dong-won with a fastball of 151 km/h on the first pitch, resulting in two outs with the bases loaded. Ultimately, he could not finish the fourth inning and was replaced.

Relief pitcher Lee Young-ha also allowed a walk, causing Kim Yoo-sung to record 3⅔ innings with 3 hits, 3 walks, 1 hit batter, 3 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs, resulting in a loss as Doosan fell 0-4.

Drafted in the second round at 19th overall by Doosan in 2023, Kim Yoo-sung recorded his first win in his debut last year. He has a record of 1 win and 2 losses with an earned run average of 6.43 over 17 games.

Throwing fastballs at 154 km/h, Kim Yoo-sung was selected as the fifth starter, surpassing Choi Won-jun during this year's spring camp and exhibition matches. With the season opening, Kwak-bin is also starting as a pitcher due to a partial muscle injury.

Kim Yoo-sung has a record of 2 losses and an earned run average of 9.90 over 4 games. He has pitched 10 innings, allowing 12 hits, 11 walks, and striking out 11 batters.

Manager Lee Seung-yup expressed regret, saying, "It might change if he could pitch without feeling intimidated on the mound, thinking that he is the best. He doesn't seem to be utilizing even one-tenth of his current skills."

He is still young and lacks experience. Opportunities will continue to come. Manager Lee Seung-yup said, "We need to instill confidence in Yoo-sung. He has immense potential, and since he is young, we should quietly watch and see if he can deliver good pitching."

[OSEN]