Will the special rookie follow the path of Jeong Hae-young?

In January 2020, right-handed rookie Jeong Hae-young was drafted in the first round and started the season in the second team. This was a measure to develop him as a starting player. There were no available starting spots in the first team. He pitched in 8 games in the second team as a starting pitcher. He pitched 36 innings, recording 2 wins and 2 losses with an earned run average of 5.40. He allowed 36 hits, 16 walks, and 3 hit batsmen. He struck out 31.

He seldom received opportunities in the first team. At the end of June, he was finally called up. This was a measure to prepare for a doubleheader. Unfortunately, the doubleheader was canceled due to rain, and he was sent back down to the second team. Still, he got a chance for his debut. It was against Hanwha. He took the mound in the 9th inning, trailing 1-3, and boldly struck out Kim Tae-kyun, keeping a scoreless inning. However, he unexpectedly became the winning pitcher for his debut as the team succeeded in a comeback in the bottom of the 9th.

At that time, manager Matt Williams saw the bravery of Jeong Hae-young pitching in the first team and decided to keep him in the first team. Initially, his role was to manage damage in a losing situation. As he gradually threw better pitches, he was promoted to a reliable pitching role in competitive games. When Jeong Hae-young took the mound, there were many comeback victories, earning him the nickname 'good luck charm,' and eventually he took on the role of closer. In the 2021 season, he filled in for Jeong Sang-hyun, who was sidelined with a shoulder injury, and he became the all-time leader in saves for the Tigers with a total of 137 saves up to this year. He decorated the ending of the championship as the closer in 2024.

Although he did not have remarkable performances in the second team, he capitalized on a single opportunity after moving up to the first team, establishing himself as the current closer for the Tigers. This indicates that the first team stage provides a chance for second team players to leap forward. This year, right-handed pitcher Seong Yeong-tak, who was drafted in the 10th round in 2024, received his call-up to the first team after 2 years and achieved a streak of 10 games without allowing a run, achieving a miraculous rise to a key pitching role. For the overburdened bullpen, this was akin to finding support.

He is also injecting vitality into the team atmosphere. Manager Lee Bum-ho, having observed Seong Yeong-tak's rise, decided to create a stage for second team players to advance to the first team. He intends to utilize one spot on the roster for second team players. Therefore, he removed Hong Won-bin, who made his debut on the 11th, and called up rookie Kim Tae-hyoung, instructing him to generate energy for advancement in the first team.

Kim Tae-hyoung is a special rookie drafted in the first round in 2025. He participated in the Okinawa closing camp last November and received high praise. He was noted for his solid composure and outstanding pitch selection and pitching skills. He was also considered for the starting rotation. However, he failed to reach the starting lineup in spring training and started the season in the second team. Although he had been receiving instruction as a starter, he is currently sitting with an embarrassing record of 4 losses and an earned run average of 11.42 in 7 games.

Since May 17, he has not appeared in a game. Nevertheless, the manager called up Kim Tae-hyoung to the first team. "Although he did not pitch well in the second team, he is a player with the capability to perform well once he reaches the first team. It's not favorable for him to keep playing in the Futures. He is on an upward trend right now. He can come up like Yeong-tak and pitch well. Once in the first team, the stage is different and he becomes more composed. While feeling the pressure, he will throw much better pitches. In the future, I will continue to call up at least one player and keep an eye on them," he said.

Kim Tae-hyoung's pitching situation is in games where the team is losing by 2 to 3 points. This is to imply that he can pitch with a relaxed mind. If he can make a fresh start in his first appearance by throwing pitches as ordered by the manager, a different future could unfold. Just like Seong Yeong-tak did right before him, and similarly to what Jeong Hae-young experienced five years ago. It is intriguing whether Kim Tae-hyoung can regain the special rookie nickname.

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