Lotte’s bullpen, which had held up well, began to falter and fall apart. No one can be blamed for this. However, the absence of one player that was originally planned for in the season plan is regrettable.
Lotte’s bullpen faltered against Gochuk Kiwoom on April 27-28. They won 6-5 on the 27th, but gave up five runs in the ninth inning alone. Second-year starter Jin Seung-hyun gave up a walk to load the bases. The team struggled afterward, bringing in Myung-jun Yoon and closer Won-joong Kim.
In the end, the 28th game came down to three consecutive pitches by Kim Won-joong. The bullpen had to operate without one of its most reliable relievers. The aftermath of Jin Seung-hyun’s snowball was devastating. A 5-1 lead turned into a 5-7 deficit in the eighth inning when Yoon Myung-jun hit a grand slam off Lim Ji-yeol. It was a shocker.
The momentum that propelled them to the top of the standings in April continued into May. The bullpen seemed to be taking the pressure off as the starters came alive, but the hitting cycle bottomed out in mid-May. Without a big lead, relievers were inevitably called upon more often. Fourteen of the 20 games in May were decided by three runs or less (8-6).
The more bullpen arms you have, the better. While everyone dreams of having a bullpen that is capable of performing the role of a closer, the more pitchers who can perform the role of a closer, the easier it is to manage the bullpen.
Lotte’s bullpen is easy to manage and solid. They have a set number of pitchers for each inning. They are organized and have set positions. Sang-soo Kim in the seventh inning, Seung-min Koo in the eighth, and Won-joong Kim in the ninth as a set-up man. In addition, left-hander Kim Jin-wook and right-hander Kim Do-kyu serve as the link between the starting rotation and the bullpen. In addition, Choi Yi-joon, Shin Jeong-rak, and Yoon Myung-jun can be used as chasers. They also have the ability to pitch in a winning situation if necessary.
But there’s one name I don’t see here. Choi Jun-yong (22), who went 4-2 with a 2.85 ERA in 44 games and 47⅓ innings pitched in 2021 with one save and 20 holds. He is said to be the last key to Lotte’s mound with his mobility. 메이저놀이터
Choi was a pitcher who was part of the best-of-three plan. However, he got off to a slow start this year due to poor form. After his return, he struggled for a while, but he was able to pitch seven innings in nine games, posting a two-hit shutout and a zero ERA. On the 17th, he was cut from the first team roster again. He was found to have inflammation in his back. He was sidelined with a shoulder injury to start the year, and then again with a back injury.
However, just before his back injury, he was in the process of regaining his balance and finding answers for himself. If Choi had been able to maintain the balance and feel he had prior to his injury, Lotte’s bullpen could have been deep enough to split time. Both Lotte and Choi Jun-yong can’t help but be disappointed by the injury.
As a workaholic who thinks for himself and tries to find his shortcomings, he doesn’t have to worry about recovering from injuries. It’s important to come back without a relapse. Still, there is no denying that Choi is missed and needed in the Lotte bullpen right now.