"Young players, cherish the opportunity."
The Doosan Bears are preparing for their 8th game of the season against the KIA Tigers in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 4th.
Acting head coach Cho Sung-hwan took the helm for the first time the previous day but faced a severe 3-11 defeat to KIA, resulting in a three-game losing streak. Kwad Bin, who returned, became the losing pitcher with a poor performance, pitching 3 innings, allowing 1 hit, 5 walks, and striking out 6 while giving up 3 runs, and the batting lineup managed to score only 3 runs against the opposing pitchers Yang Hyun-jong, Seong Yeong-tak, Jeon Sang-hyeon, Choi Ji-min, and Hong Won-bin.
Doosan set its starting lineup against KIA's starting pitcher James Nair with Jeong Soo-bin (center fielder), Jake Cave (right fielder), Yang Eui-ji (catcher), Kim Jae-hwan (designated hitter), Kim Min-seok (left fielder), Kim Min-hyeok (first baseman), Lee Seon-woo (shortstop), Park Jun-soon (third baseman), and Kim Jun-sang (second baseman).
The infield configuration is unconventional. The infield lineup consists of backup players and rookies, including Kim Min-hyeok at first base, Kim Jun-sang at second base, Park Jun-soon at third base, and Lee Seon-woo at shortstop. Park Jun-soon (1st round), Lee Seon-woo (5th round), and Kim Jun-sang (development player) are all rookies who debuted this year. Yang Eui-ji also returned to the starting lineup after recovering from a back injury the previous day.
The 1st team roster included pitchers Hong Min-kyu and Park Jeong-su, along with infielder Yeo Dong-keun, while pitchers Park Shin-ji, Kim Ho-jun, and infielder Im Jong-seong were removed. Im Jong-seong is experiencing neck strain after colliding with the fence during the defense in the 5th inning the previous day.
The starting pitcher is also rookie Choi Min-seok. Choi's season record is 2 games, with 1 win, 1 loss, and an earned run average of 2.00, having achieved his debut win with a scoreless 5 innings in the game against KT Wiz on May 28. Choi graduated from Seoul High School and was selected in the 2nd round as the 16th pick by Doosan in the 2025 rookie draft.
The following is a Q&A with acting head coach Cho Sung-hwan before the game.
-First impressions of taking the helm
I told the players not to play awkwardly, but I was the one who was the most awkward. It is hard to accept the result, but the players did their best. I tried to find the best I could within that.
-Overall evaluation of Kwad Bin's pitching
Kwad Bin prepared to pitch yesterday even on his rest day, but I think he was overly eager. He likely had feelings of regret during that time, and it seemed like he tried to repay that all in one day. The pitch count was originally around 70. I didn’t reveal the pitch count in advance because I didn’t want to give the opposing team prior information that they could just take down Kwad Bin. Still, he looked better coming down than at the beginning, so I anticipate his next start.
-Changes in the starting lineup
I am very happy that Yang Eui-ji has returned. I tried to set the top lineup with veterans and the bottom lineup with young players.
-Among the four infielders, three are rookies
After Park Jun-soon had a multi-hit game and a sacrifice fly yesterday, I thought I should give him a chance, and Lee Seon-woo's swing in yesterday's fly ball to center fielder was beautiful. I wanted to see more of that, so I included him. The reason Lee Seon-woo is in as shortstop is that he has a bit more experience there.
-What is the extent of Im Jong-seong's injury?
It's not severe. However, he looks exhausted, and I think it would be good for him to refresh himself, so he has been removed from the roster.
-Background for Park Shin-ji's removal
I had to send Park Shin-ji down unavoidably, but in fact, he contributed the most within the team in yesterday's game. Today a rookie pitcher has to be on the mound, and due to various circumstances within the team, he was sent down, but if he dedicates himself to the team, he will be offered more opportunities.
-Is the role in the outfield a platoon between Kim Dae-han and Kim Min-seok?
I asked Kim Dae-han to give his best swing yesterday, but he ended up with two check swings resulting in ground balls to first base. I know it must be frustrating for him, but I will continue to encourage him this way. Today, I want to see how Kim Min-seok faces a strong pitcher.
-Evaluation of Cole Irvin's live pitching (3 innings, 50 pitches, with a top fastball speed of 149 km)
He did well. It seems the strike percentage improved, which is positive. I made a suggestion to Cole Irvin, telling him to smile a bit on the mound instead of being too serious. I plan to discuss the technical aspects again with the performance analysis team and pitching coach. He will return as a starter next Tuesday.
-There have been many young players over the past two days. Has a direction been set for rebuilding?
It might be a bit early for me to talk about rebuilding. I hope the young players appreciate the opportunity they are receiving.
-Report on the results of 2nd team players Hong Geon-hee and Lee Byeong-heon on the mound
I haven’t heard anything about Lee Byeong-heon. I heard that Hong Geon-hee performed well yesterday and today. He plans to return this weekend.
-Conditions for calling up veterans from the 2nd team
It is most important for players to show the qualities that suit them. Veterans need to take care of younger players while also fulfilling their own roles. Additionally, young players should be running around like crazy during this time and show the qualities of their age.
-Is Kim Taek-yeon returning as the closer?
I met with Kim Taek-yeon before the game yesterday and reinstated him as the closer. I told him I hope to see him often on the mound. Yesterday, I wanted to conserve the winning group. I also wanted to save Park Chi-kuk, but ultimately we ended up conceding runs. That is my responsibility. Throughout the decision-making process, I found the coaches worthy of respect.
-Why continuously give opportunities to Kim Min-hyeok?
I don’t think I’ve seen Kim Min-hyeok for long over the past few days. For us to make a judgment, we should consistently see him for several at-bats. He is a player with potential. I want to provide the time for him to accept that.
-If I were to pick a positive aspect of yesterday's game
Jeong Soo-bin has been unable to get on base in his first at-bat, so we made a bet of 100,000 won that he would reach base on the first at-bat. However, he only managed to get a hit in that first at-bat, so I lost (laughs). The fact that both veteran players and rookies scored runs suggests that if this synergy continues, we can have even better games.
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