Lotte Giants pitcher Kim Jin-wook displayed another poor performance in the Futures League. A return to the first team still requires time.

On the 21st, Kim Jin-wook took the mound as a relief pitcher against the Samsung Lions in the 2025 Futures League at Gyeongsan Stadium, allowing 4 hits, 4 strikeouts, and 3 earned runs over 3 innings (47 pitches). That day, he threw 18 fastballs, 18 sliders, 8 curves, and 2 changeups. His fastballs recorded speeds of 141 to 144 km, and his sliders ranged from 128 to 139 km.

With the score tied 0-0 in the 4th inning, Kim Jin-wook took the mound after starter Gam Bo-ah and allowed a single to lead-off hitter Lee Chang-yong. He struck out Hanh Seo-ho, but then gave up a single to Kim Tae-geun and a double over the left fielder's head to Park Jin-woo, allowing the first run to score.

In a crisis with one out and runners on second and third, Kim Jin-wook allowed a timely hit to rookie Cha Seung-jun, resulting in 2 more earned runs. After that, with one out and one runner on first, he got Lee Hae-seung to hit a ground ball to the third baseman, and with two outs and a runner on second, he ended the inning by getting Park Seung-kyu to hit a ground ball to the third baseman.

In the 5th inning, he ended the inning in succession with three outs. He handled Yang Woo-hyun with a ground ball to the shortstop, Yoon Jeong-bin with a fly out to right field, and Lee Chang-yong with a fly out to center field, finishing with 8 pitches.

In the 6th inning, he struck out three batters in a row. He struck out Hanh Seo-ho, and after the catcher caught the one-bounce ball, he threw to first base to record an out. Kim Tae-geun also went down swinging on the third pitch, as the catcher threw to first base for the out. Park Jin-woo struck out swinging, but the ball got away on a wild pitch, leading him to safely reach first base. With two outs and a runner on first, he ended the inning by getting Cha Seung-jun to hit a ground ball to the shortstop.

Drafted first overall in the second round of the 2021 rookie draft by Lotte, Kim Jin-wook made an upgrade last year. He secured his position as a starting pitcher with a record of 4 wins, 3 losses, and an earned run average of 5.31 over 19 games. Originally, Kim Jin-wook was scheduled to enlist in the Army Baseball Team last winter, but he decided to stay with Lotte while treating his elbow injury, postponing his enlistment.

Kim Jin-wook has recorded 1 win and 3 losses with an earned run average of 8.69 in 5 games at the major league this season. He pitched well in the first 3 games, going more than 5 innings, but struggled in mid-April with 6 earned runs over 1⅓ innings in two consecutive games and 7 earned runs over 1⅓ innings. He had a poor performance on April 19 against the Samsung Lions, allowing 7 earned runs on 8 hits over 1⅓ innings, and was sent down to the second team the next day.

Since being sent down to the second team at the end of April, Kim Jin-wook has pitched in 4 games in the Futures League, recording 1 win, 2 losses, 16 earned runs over 11⅔ innings, and an earned run average of 12.34.

Manager Kim Tae-hyoung noted during an interview before the game on the 21st regarding Kim Jin-wook, "I will take a look if the records show any improvements." Lotte's Lee Min-seok will start on the 22nd, and Han Hyun-hee will take the mound on the 25th.

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