"I'll do it without regret"…Will Shim Chang-min and Kim Jin-sung be the next in LG's uniform
"I'll do it without regret"…Will Shim Chang-min and Kim Jin-sung be the next in LG's uniform
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Can Shim Chang-min become the second Kim Jin-sung (LG Twins).
Shim Chang-min, who was nominated by the Samsung Lions as the fourth overall player in the first round in 2011, is a right-handed sidearm pitcher with good pitching. Until last year, he marked 31 wins, 29 losses, 51 saves and 80 holds with an ERA of 4.22 in 485 games (491 innings).
Shim Chang-min, who debuted in the first division in the 2012 season, quickly became a key resource. Between 2011 and 2015, when Shim was active, the Samsung Lions won five regular league championships and four combined championships, building a dynasty. Based on his stellar performance, Shim also played with the national flag at the 2015 World Baseball Softball Confederation Premier 12 and 2017 World Baseball Classic.
However, he has not been very good lately. Through trade in the 2022 season, he wore the NC Dinos uniform, but played in 11 games (6.1 innings) that year, recording only one win, two losses and an earned run average of 14.21. He played in only five games (3.1 innings) in the 2023 season, and his performance was also poor with one loss and an earned run average of 2.70.
Shim Chang-min failed to rebound last year as well. He only had two wins, one loss and two holds with an ERA of 8.84 in 21 games in the Futures League, and was never called upon by the first team. After all, Shim couldn't avoid the violent wind of his release after the season.
However, he did not give up. He underwent a test to join LG at Icheon Champions Park. While seeking to strengthen the bullpen, LG paid attention to Shim's experiences, which led him to wear LG's pin stripe jersey. 안전놀이터
The move reminds of Kim Jin-seong. Kim Jin-seong, who was drafted by the SK Wyverns (current SSG Landers) as the 42nd overall in the second round of six rounds in 2004, is a right-handed pitcher who has been active in LG since the 2022 season after playing for the Heroes and the NC Dinosaurs. In 688 games (693.1 innings), he marked 46 wins, 38 losses, 39 saves, 127 holds, and 4.14 earned run average (ERA).
Kim Jin-seong also had a crisis. He was notified of his release by NC Dinosaurs after the end of the 2021 season. However, he was not frustrated. He constantly worked out and called heads of nine teams and coaches directly, expressing his willingness to continue his active career. As a result, Cha Myung-seok, LG's general manager, reached out to him.
Kim completely met Cha's expectations. He made a splendid comeback by playing in 67 games (58 innings) in the 2022 season, with six wins, three losses and 12 holds and an earned run average of 3.10. In the 2023 season, he played in 80 games (70.1 innings), recording five wins, one loss, four saves and 21 holds with an earned run average of 2.18, contributing to LG's overall win for the third time in 29 years since 1994 and 2023.
Kim Jin-seong also showed great presence last year. In 71 games (70.1 innings), he garnered three wins, three losses, one save, 27 holds, and an earned run average of 3.97 to keep the LG bullpen intact. While key bullpen players Yoo Young-chan and Ham Deok-ju are likely to be out in the first half of the 2025 season due to injury, LG hopes Shim Chang-min will follow Kim's lead.
His will is also on fire. "I thought it would be my last chance. I thought it would be a comfortable idea to do a one-year event in 2025. It might work out or it might not work out, but I will think about the outcome later," Shim said. "It would be better if I do well, but since I have played baseball for over 20 years, I will play it without regret." Will Shim be able to become the next Kim Jin-seong.