Doosan Bears manager Kim Won-hyung held a brief meeting with starting pitcher Choi Seung-yong following the team’s spring training matchup against the KIA Tigers at Jamsil Stadium on March 22.
Choi took the mound against KIA on March 21, delivering four innings on 66 pitches. He surrendered five hits, including two home runs, two walks, one hit batter, three strikeouts, and six runs, two of which were earned. The Bears fell 6-11 in that contest.
Costly Third Inning
The pivotal moment came in the third inning, where Choi allowed a home run followed by three additional runs, exacerbated by defensive miscues. This sequence stood out as the most regrettable aspect of his outing.
In the second inning, Choi issued a walk to lead-off hitter Yoon Do-hyun before inducing a double play, keeping the score at 0-4. An error on a Kasell hit and O Sun-woo’s sacrifice advanced runners in the first and second, but timely execution limited further damage.
Manager’s Positive Take
Kim Won-hyung offered supportive feedback, stating, “Pinpointing the third inning issue, it was mainly about failing to field hittable balls. Such errors can happen. A sluggish mistake is just one. Up to that point, the first and second innings were solid. It’s not about underestimating batters; we must look at the results—pitches clustered there.”
The manager emphasized Choi’s value as a cornerstone of the national team and Doosan’s pitching staff. Despite the uneven performance, Kim highlighted the pitcher’s sharper command after experiencing quality innings, viewing it as a growth barrier.
“I was even more competitive. In terms of results, it benefits the team and me too. Grasping that feeling through those moments, staying sharp on the mound is key. Seeing it that way motivates me to go further and create opportunities. If I don’t meet that standard upon return, it won’t happen. It takes one or two outings to adjust and learn, so even then, it’s subject matter—we must manage it properly,” Choi remarked.
Ongoing Rotation Adjustments
Doosan has reshaped its rotation with Kris Flexen, Jake Logue, and Kwak Bin filling key spots. Opponents like Lee Young-ha, Choi Min-seok, and others have yet to record strikeouts against Choi in spring games.
Choi noted, “In the fourth and fifth inning slots, there’s room to handle pressure as a starter who goes deep.”
On March 15 against the Ichon Bears Pack, Choi combined with reliever Park Chan-ho for a scoreless first inning. Park’s inside fastball sparked a leadoff double from Ryu Ji-hyuk, leading to a hit-by-pitch and setting up Choi for high-leverage situations.
