The sluggish performance of Kim Tae-hoon (31) is painful.
The Samsung Lions, led by manager Park Jin-man스포츠토토, carried out a trade at the end of last month. Instead of giving away veteran infielder Lee Won-seok, who had a good sense of hitting, and the 3rd round nomination for the 2024 rookie draft, pitcher Kim Tae-hoon was brought in.
Everyone expected that Kim Tae-hoon would add strength to Samsung’s bullpen, a worry. Kim Tae-hoon, who was brought in even while giving away as a key hitter, has won more than 10 holds for the last three years in a row at Kiwoom, and is a player who has consistently played his part.
Photo = Courtesy of Samsung Lions
Since coming to Samsung, Kim Tae-hoon recorded an ERA of zero in three games in April. At this time, he captured the heart of Samsung coach Park Jin-man by recording 1 win and 2 saves. Director Park Jin-man praised him, saying, “I am coming out of a difficult situation, but I am doing my part well.”
But in May, Kim Tae-hoon is suspicious. It wasn’t the Kim Tae-hoon I knew before. It has changed dramatically. It didn’t change in a good way. I am falling into the swamp of sluggishness. On the 2nd, against Kiwoom in Daegu, his parents’ hometown, he collapsed with 3 hits (2 homers) and 4 runs in 1 inning, and he tasted the bitter taste of his first defeat after transferring.
Afterwards, he seemed to catch on with 1 scoreless inning against the Daejeon Hanwha Eagles on the 9th and 0.2 scoreless innings against the Daegu LG Twins on the 12th.
However, on the 14th, it collapsed again with 3 hits and 3 runs in 0.1 innings against Daegu LG. Also, on the 16th, Daegu KIA Tigers match came up after Won Tae-in in the 7th inning, but it collapsed with 0.1 innings, 3 hits, 1 walk and 3 runs, leaving regret. He doesn’t look good at all when he transferred.
As a result, he has a record of 27.00 ERA with 3 losses in May. Before he knew it, his season average ERA rose to 9.42. Since coming to Samsung, he has recorded 1 win, 3 losses and 2 saves with an ERA of 13.50.
Samsung is struggling with the problem of the bullpen this season. Oh Seung-hwan is gradually recovering, but it is true that the other two bullpen pitchers, including Lee Seung-hyun and Woo Kyu-min, are struggling. Here, even Kim Tae-hoon is sluggish.
Is Kim Tae-hoon’s sluggishness temporary? Samsung fans hope so.s