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“Now we have to do really well.”
Jong-min Lee (23) graduated from Seongnam High School and joined Kiwoom Heroes as the 7th overall pick in the 2nd first round of the 2020 draft. As can be seen from his high nomination ranking, Lee Jong-min entered the professional ranks with Kiwoom's expectations in full. In particular, Kiwoom gave high marks to Lee Jong-min's game management ability and precise ball control. He was expected to play a leading role in Kiwoom's starting mound in the future.
Like most rookie players, Lee Jong-min also began to harden his skills in the Futures League. And he became the 2021 Futures League multiple wins title holder. Although he was unable to pitch in many games due to COVID-19, he became the winner of multiple wins, recording 6 wins, 3 losses, and 1 hold in 17 games, and an ERA of 4.45. He showed even better performance in the 2022 season. He pitched well in 22 Futures League games with 9 wins, 1 loss, and 1 hold, and an ERA of 3.48.
However, his first-team performance was not good. He had 1 loss in 13 career games and an ERA of 9.56. He was unable to use his strong point of control and was often judged. In 2022, when he performed well in the second team, he did not receive a single first-team call-up.
Lee Jong-min is now in his 5th year as a member. In a recent meeting with SPOTV News, he said, "Now I have to do really well. It's been 5 years since I became a professional player. Among my contemporaries, more and more players are playing in the first team. It's a motivator. I also do my best and play in the first team. “I want to do it,” he said, adding that he has a special determination for the 2024 season.
During the off-season, he goes to work and trains at his home stadium, Gocheok Sky Dome. Even during the season, I have a strong desire to exercise in Gocheok rather than the Goyang Stadium where the 2nd team stadium is located. Lee Jong-min laughed, saying, "Last year, I briefly pitched in the first team. I was definitely happy playing baseball with the support of the fans. My adrenaline rose. My desire to play in the first team grew even more. Every game was precious and earnest."
Although I performed well in the Futures League, I was not entirely happy. It was because he was disappointed that he could not show his full skills in the first team. He also heard a lot of harsh comments from Futures team leaders. Jong-min Lee said, "In the Futures League, I played the game the way I wanted. But the first team was definitely different. The coaches also said bitterly, saying, 'Aren't you playing baseball to do well in the second team?' If I don't grow further, I can't do better." “I thought there was nothing there. I thought I needed to develop my skills further,” he said, looking back on the past.
While Lee Jong-min's strength is his ball control, his slow velocity is considered a weakness. Last year, Lee Jong-min's average fastball speed was only 137.4 km. Even considering that he is a left-handed pitcher, he is slow. He is focusing on increasing his velocity this winter. Jong-min Lee said, "The highest speed was set at 145km, but the average speed is more important. It needs to be about 2-3km more. I felt like I wasn't using all my strength. I think I need to throw the ball faster to be competitive." He said he wanted to throw the ball faster.
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