The free agent contract's first year is shaping up to be a career-high season. Kim Won-jung (32), the 'guardian' of the Korea Professional Baseball Lotte Giants, is emerging as a solid closer, leading the team’s surge to 2nd place.

On the 24th, Kim Won-jung took the mound in relief in the bottom of the 9th, with the score tied 6-6 against Hanwha in Daejeon. Despite Hanwha starting with its top batters, Kim Won-jung was unshaken. He struck out Estevan Florial and Ha Ju-suk consecutively with his signature forkball, allowing a single to Moon Hyun-bin but inducing Roh Si-hwan to pop out to second base, extending the game.

In the top of the 10th inning, Lotte took a 8-6 lead with Son Ho-young's two-run, clutch hit, and Kim Won-jung took responsibility until the bottom of the 10th. After striking out the first batter Kim In-hwan with a forkball, he gave up a single to Kim Tae-yean but induced Lee Min-jae to ground into a 4-6-3 double play to end the game. Kim Won-jung threw 35 pitches, earning a two-inning save, and Lotte reclaimed 2nd place in just one day.

After the game, Kim Won-jung said, "The team was in a tough situation, but I prepared with the thought that I would definitely pitch more than one inning. My teammates did well in scoring runs in the next inning, which allowed us to win. The more we play, the better the team chemistry seems to get. Although it was rainy and cold, I appreciate the fans who supported us with passion. I will prepare well for tomorrow's game."

As of this day, Kim Won-jung's performance this season stands at 22 games, 2 wins, 13 saves, and an earned run average of 1.11. Over 24⅓ innings, he has recorded 30 strikeouts while holding opponents to a batting average of just .184. Although the season is not yet halfway, both his earned run average and opponents' batting average are career-high records. He is on track to surpass his personal best of 35 saves in 2021.

Kim Won-jung obtained free agent status for the first time after finishing last season and re-signed with Lotte under a 4-year deal worth up to 5.4 billion won. The contract guarantees 4.4 billion won, with incentives totaling 1 billion won. Despite interest from teams needing proven closers, Kim Won-jung had no intention of leaving Lotte, where he has spent 13 years since joining in 2012. Immediately after signing the free agent contract, he cut off his trademark long hair to express his determination to return to his roots.

There were concerns about this contract. Kim Won-jung recorded a record of 3 wins, 6 losses, 25 saves, an earned run average of 3.55, and 68 strikeouts over 56 games (63⅓ innings) last year, but had 6 blown saves. In July alone, he significantly impacted negatively by losing the team's lead in 5 consecutive games. Moreover, concerns arose that the introduction of pitch clock in the KBO League this season might disadvantage Kim Won-jung, who has a unique leg motion that creates longer intervals.

However, Kim Won-jung is dispelling all these concerns with his performance. He has quickly adapted to the pitch clock and continues to maintain his leg motion even during shorter intervals, keeping his rhythm. With the movement of his forkball improving alongside his fastball, which is in the mid to high 140 km/h range, he is increasingly demonstrating his effectiveness. He has gone 9 consecutive innings without allowing a run in his last 9 games.

Many players who signed free agent contracts last winter are struggling this year. The struggles of pitchers such as Um Sang-baek (Hanwha), Choi Won-tae (Samsung), Koo Seung-min (Lotte), Lee Yong-chan (NC), and Lim Ki-young (KIA) are particularly notable. Though Jang Hyun-sik and Kim Kang-ryul, who are active in LG, have performed well, they are frequently sidelined due to injuries. In such circumstances, Kim Won-jung is standing out as a model free agent, alongside veteran pitcher Noh Kyung-eun (SSG).

Most players tend to have their peak seasons in their 20s during their service time, achieving career-high seasons. With the current momentum, Kim Won-jung might become a rare player who has a career-high season after his free agent contract. Without the invaluable presence of Kim Won-jung, Lotte’s surge to 2nd place would not have been possible.

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