I didn’t realize Ki-Young Lim (KIA) would out-pitch Shawn Anderson and Adonis Medina.
The ace of the KIA bullpen, Lim Ki-young (30), is definitely struggling at the end of the season. Im struggled against Jamsil LG Electronics on June 6, giving up one run on three hits in ⅓ innings. Manager Kim Jong-kook brought him up to start the bottom of the seventh inning, trailing 0-1. It was a timely call as the game was still on the line.
However, after getting leadoff hitter Jung Ju-hyun to fly out to right field, Lim gave up consecutive singles to Shin Min-jae, Hong Chang-ki, and Park Hae-min. His fastball to Shin was driven up the middle, and he dropped a changeup low to Hong Chang-ki, but Hong made a good push. He threw a fastball to Park Hae-min and gave up a bunt single.
It was three hits in a row, but the LG batters responded well. However, he’s thrown so many pitches this season that it wouldn’t be surprising if they weren’t good at this point. His 79.2 innings pitched in 61 games this season is the most of any pure bullpen.
Noh Kyung-eun (39), who has also struggled in the SSG bullpen this season, has 75⅓ innings in 70 games. Noh has made far more appearances than Lee, but once he’s on the mound, Lee is a multi-inning pitcher. He’s done a great job of saving pitches with each of his big changeups this year. But he’s already thrown 1202 pitches.토토사이트
As it turns out, he’s overtaken the innings of Anderson and Medina, who packed it in at the end of the first half. Anderson threw 79 innings in 14 games and Medina only 58 innings in 12 games. There’s a simple reason why Lim threw so many pitches. Anderson threw six innings per game and Medina less than five innings per game before being shut down.
KIA started the season expecting Anderson and Medina to provide a lot of innings and wins, but the bullpen relievers have overtaken those of the outsiders who left three months ago. This was not part of the pre-season plan. This season, KIA’s starters have been unable to eat up innings. The starters have been unable to digest innings for one reason or another, leaving the bullpen with a heavy workload. Im Ki-young is the symbol of this.
His performance this year has been nothing short of spectacular. In 61 games, he has 4 wins, 4 losses, 3 saves, 16 holds, and a 3.05 ERA. One change in his grip on his changeup changed his life. However, Lim is also human and sags a bit at the end of the season. In 12 games since September, he’s 2-5 with a 5.25 ERA. His batting average in his last 10 games is a whopping .325.
There is some good news. Choi Ji-min will join the team as soon as the Asian Games end. Lim will be glad to have another set-up man who can do his share of work. With eight games still to go, it’s important to keep the energy up.
Whether KIA makes it to the top five or not, it’s important for Lim to finish the season healthy. Baseball will continue next year, and it’s important for Lim to stay healthy now that he’s fully transitioned to the bullpen. Lim is eligible for free agency after the 2024 season.