‘Unexpected’ LG 19-year-old catcher’s surprise eye-painting…could he be the next big thing?
“I’m not expecting anything.”
Catcher Kim Bum-seok was selected by LG with the seventh pick in the first round of the 2023 rookie draft from the youth national team. He was highly regarded as an offensive catcher in high school. Following his stints at Nexen and SK, Yeom Kyung-yeop has been conducting so-called “major tours” for prospects at LG. The theory is that even if the prospects don’t play in the first team, they can still benefit from training and learning. Kim Bum-seok was a natural candidate.토토사이트
Coach Yeom Kyung-yup even put him in the first team last week. He got a couple of at-bats against Jamsil LG Electronics on the 3rd, and even made his first start as the 9th designated hitter against Gochuk Kiwoom on the 6th. Of course, Yeom said he didn’t expect anything from Kim Bum-seok right away.
Experience, process, and consideration. But when a prospect like that gets on base and gets an RBI, it’s something to smile about for LG. Although he didn’t get his first hit, Kim Bum-seok had a great day.
In his first at-bat with the bases loaded in the third inning, Kim drew a walk against Kiwoom’s Eric Yokishi. SBS Sports commentator Lee Soon-cheol was amazed. “For hitters, Yokishi is a pitcher who doesn’t see the ball at all (his deception is so good). For a rookie to draw a walk in his first at-bat against such a pitcher is amazing.”
It wasn’t over. In the fourth inning, with runners on first and third, Kim took advantage of Yokishi’s curveball and hit a sacrifice fly to centre field. He timed his curveball well. The ball went quite far. Kiwoom centre fielder Lee Jung-hoo almost didn’t make the catch.
Kim Bum-seok then retired on a strikeout and an outfield fly ball. Despite Yeom’s “no expectations” comment, he performed in a way that we can only hope for in the future. Coincidentally, Kiwoom’s starting catcher on the day was Kim Dong-heon, who, along with Kim Bum-seok, was called the best catcher in high school. The Gocheok Sky Dome was the stage for the future of Korean baseball to showcase their potential.
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