Interim manager trusts sophomore closer despite recent struggles
s to be the closer,” Cho said in his media scrum before facing the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul. “I hope he comes out of his a better pitcher. I am not about to remove him from the closer role. When a save opportunity comes, I will keep sending him out to the mound.”
Discussing a recent conversation with Kim, Cho mentioned that they talked about Kim’s struggles against the first batter he faces in each outing. Look into some numbers, Cho noted that closers on other teams are also having difficulty in the second half, prompting them to explore potential fatigue-related issues.
On the bright side, another young pitcher for the Bears, Choi Min-seok, has shown promise as a 19-year-old rookie. Over the last three starts, Choi has only allowed one run in 17 innings, striking out 14 batters while walking only three.
Cho expressed his admiration for Choi’s performance, describing him as nearly a complete starting pitcher who remains focused on executing his pitches without letting hitters distract him. As other teams have tried to figure Choi out, he has managed to overcome those challenges successfully, a positive sign for the team.
Despite Kim Taek-yeon’s struggles as a sophomore closer for the Doosan Bears, interim manager Cho Sung-hwan continues to show confidence in his abilities. As part of his growing process, Kim is working through the challenges he faces, with the guidance and support of his manager and the team. Additionally, promising performances from young pitchers like Choi Min-seok provide hope and optimism for the Bears, showcasing the potential for growth and success within the team’s pitching staff.