The LG Twins’ first-round pick is finally unveiled on the first-tier stage. The main character is Cho Won-tae (20), who the LG Twins chose as the first nomination in the rookie draft last year.
LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop met with reporters ahead of the KT Wiz home game (cancellation of rain), which was scheduled to be held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on the 4th, and announced Cho Won-tae’s plan to start.
It was last weekend. With three consecutive games ahead of KIA, LG’s original starting rotation order was Casey Kelly, Adam Plutko, and Lim 토토 가입머니 즉시지급 Chan-kyu. It was a rotation in which LG’s first, second, and third starters went one after another. However, head coach Yeom started Lee Jung-yong, not Lim Chan-kyu, against KIA on the 2nd, when the 3rd starter was made.
There was a reason. At the time, head coach Yeom said, “If (Lim) Chan-kyu starts on Sunday, 4th and 5th starters will have to play against KT on the 4th and 5th.” If that happens, there may be a situation where bullpen days will have to be held for two consecutive days. It is bound to be burdensome. “I thought a lot about it, but I decided to do so after discussion,” he explained.
However, as the game was canceled due to rain on the 4th, LG will play side by side with Lim Chan-kyu (5th), Casey Kelly (6th), and Adam Plutko (7th). Head coach Yeom said, “If the game is canceled due to rain on the 4th, Lim Chan-kyu will start as it is on the 5th.” Since then, if there are no variables such as cancellation of rain, Cho Won-tae will start the game against the Lotte Giants, which is scheduled to be held at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 9th, he said.
As a result, LG will play against Lotte in three consecutive away games, including Plutco (7th), Lee Jung-yong (8th), and Cho Won-tae (9th). Regarding the background of choosing Cho Won-tae, head coach Yeom said, “Good reports in the second division have risen, giving him a chance to start,” adding, “I received a report that my control has improved rather than speed.” No matter how fast the ball is, it is most important to have control of the ball. “I was thinking about a call-up when I won three consecutive games in the Futures League, and now I have a chance,” he said. He added, “Cho Won-tae and Lee Ji-gang will go out in the form of ‘1+1’.”
Cho Won-tae, who has a physique of 186cm and 92kg, joined the LG Twins as the first designation last year after graduating from Toseong Elementary School (Gangdong-gu Little), Konkukbu Middle School, and Sunrin Internet High School. Last year, he played in two games in the first division and recorded one hit, two walks, and one hit in four innings without winning or losing. In the Futures League, he won three wins, one loss, and one hold in 12 games with a 7.68 ERA. While throwing 38⅔ innings, he marked 38 strikeouts and 33 runs (33 earned runs) on 40 hits (1 home run), 27 walks, and 3 body hits.
He started in the Futures League again this year. Since the end of April, he has been in rotation in the Futures League and has been taking starting classes. This year, he played in 10 Futures League games (8 starts) with 3 wins, 1 loss, 1 hold and a 5.45 ERA. In 36⅓3 innings, he recorded a detailed performance of 28 strikeouts and 24 runs (22 earned runs) that hit 45 hits (2 home runs), 20 walks, and one body. In particular, he showed a good trend by winning three consecutive games from the Doosan Bears and Futures League match on June 8 to the KIA Tigers on June 17 and the Goyang Heroes on the 24th.
If Cho Won-tae pitches well, there is a possibility that he will get a chance again next time. Except for Kelly, Plutko and Lim Chan-kyu, there are currently no starting pitchers in the LG starting lineup. Of course, for LG, the best scenario is for Kim Yoon-sik and Lee Min-ho to return in good physical condition in the second half. What kind of pitch will Cho Won-tae make in front of Busan fans.
