He’s doing a good enough job as a homegrown ace, but his head coach had higher ideals. Lee Seung-yeop talks about his expectations for Kwak Bin (24-Dusan Bears).메이저놀이터
“Kwak-bin is the best pitcher in Korea if he improves his first-pitch strike rate,” Lee told reporters before the Bears’ 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League home game against SSG Landers at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on Wednesday. “I don’t think he will, but I don’t want him to get down in the fourth inning and lose heart,” Lee said.
That’s the hope for Kwak, who threw 98 pitches in four innings the previous day, giving up three runs.
Kwak is 10-7 with a 3.12 ERA in 21 games this season. This is the first time he’s reached 10 wins in a season since his debut.
However, he hasn’t won in three games since crossing that threshold on May 25. After a six-inning no-hitter against the LG Twins on March 31, Kwak collapsed against the KIA Tigers on March 6, giving up six runs in 3⅓ innings, and against the Hanwha Eagles on March 12, giving up three runs on four hits with five walks and three strikeouts in four innings.
The pressure on the ace pitcher is even greater as every game is crucial as the team looks to reclaim fifth place.
“I had thrown 98 pitches by the fourth inning, so you could say I wasn’t in good shape. On a good day, he throws less than 100 pitches in seven innings.” “He has a lot of ups and downs depending on his condition on the day. I think he will definitely pitch for a higher goal, but if he does not close the gap, it will take a long time to become a better player.”
Kwak Bin will be called up to the Asian Games squad on the 23rd. He will play at least two games before then. “We still have important games before the Asian Games,” Lee said. We need to be strong,” Lee said. “I hope we can prepare for the next game with the pride of being a one-two-three punch with the Korean ace and the foreign pitchers in the team.”
He is scheduled to pitch on the 17th. He will face the KIA Tigers, who are in fourth place with SSG and two games behind Doosan. He plans to take four days off and pitch on the 22nd, but will have to see how things go.
“The game on the 17th is the key. It’s very important,” he said. “If I’m in good shape, I won’t be able to pull it out quickly. If you’re up 1-0 and you’ve thrown 100 pitches or so, you can pitch the next inning. If you overdo it (that way), you might not be able to pitch on the 22nd. But I think he’s still going to pitch on the 22nd, and I think he’s going to be in the starting rotation.”