The Doosan Bears baseball team fell to the Samsung Lions for two consecutive days. However, acting manager Cho Sung-hwan focused on the positive aspects rather than the disappointment of the losing streak.
Ahead of the match against Samsung on the 19th, acting manager Cho Sung-hwan met with reporters and spoke about starting pitcher Choi Min-seok, who achieved his first debut quality start (6 innings, 3 hits allowed (1 home run allowed), 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, 2 earned runs) against Samsung on the 18th.
He said, 'I feel that he enjoys being on the mound every time he pitches. So he looks more confident.' He highly praised Choi Min-seok's strong mentality. He added, 'Our team has gained a good starting resource. Though he allowed a home run to Diaz, I don't view it negatively as it was a result of being aggressive in his pitching.'
With the sidearm pitcher Choi Won-jun being removed from the 1st team roster for recovery, there will be more options in the starting lineup when he returns to the first-team stage. Acting manager Cho Sung-hwan noted, 'It seems the pool of starting resources has suddenly increased. I'm looking forward to seeing an energetic Choi Won-jun,' hinting at the possibility of adjustments to the starting lineup. He stated, 'I plan to adjust the starting lineup based on conditions. I will check closely and make a careful decision.'
He also did not forget to compliment Lee Yoo-chan (2 hits in 5 at-bats, 2 runs) and Kim Dong-jun (2 hits in 5 at-bats, 2 RBIs) as the table-setters. Acting manager Cho Sung-hwan said, 'Lee Yoo-chan was called 'opening-day shortstop' during the first training camp in Sydney. He was ahead in the competition for the shortstop position. He produced many good hits. The previous manager also had high expectations for Lee Yoo-chan.'
Lee Yoo-chan is currently batting .360 (19 hits in 62 at-bats) with 6 RBIs and 9 runs in 21 games this season. Acting manager Cho Sung-hwan remarked, 'Internally, the organization expected him to perform at this level. I believe he hasn't fully shown his true abilities yet. Perhaps he's shown about half of what he can do. I believe he has much more to show.' He continued, 'He is a talent that will be needed for the national team as well. He is a player with ample room to improve.'
Acting manager Cho Sung-hwan commented on Kim Dong-jun, saying, 'He skillfully tackled difficult breaking balls and turned them into solid hits. That aspect catches the eye. It must be astonishing for young players like Kim Dong-jun to be playing in the first team. I view this as a very good opportunity for the players. I hope they won't be intimidated and will face it boldly.'
Meanwhile, Doosan appointed foreign pitcher Jack Logue as the starting pitcher. The lineup consisted of center fielder Jeong Su-bin, designated hitter Kim Dong-jun, catcher Yang Eui-ji, left fielder Kim Jae-hwan, right fielder Jake Cave, shortstop Lee Yoo-chan, second baseman Oh Myung-jin, third baseman Lim Jong-seong, and first baseman Kim Min-seok.
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