“It would be nice if we reached the top 5, but the goal is to win.”
Kangnam Yoo (Lotte) and Lotte have a common denominator of 31. Yoo Gang-nam is 31 years old this year, and Lotte is trying to win the Korean Series for the first time in 31 years since 1992. Although Lotte made a storm reinforcement in the 2022-2023 free agent market, few people say with confidence that it is the right to win.
However, Yoo Kang-nam thinks winning is not impossible. On the 7th, at the arrival hall at Incheon International Airport, “Goals and dreams must be set high. It would be nice to make it to the semifinals, but winning is my goal.” At the same time, he said, “After receiving the ball, there are many potential pitchers.”
Yoo Kang-nam, a graduate of Whimoon Middle School and Seoul High School, signed a free agent contract for 4 years and 8 billion won and came down to Busan for the first time in his life. Can Kang-Nam Yoo fulfill Lotte’s long-cherished wish that has not been fulfilled for 31 years? After Kang Min-ho (Samsung) left스포츠토토, it is expected to enjoy the effect of stabilizing the home room, which was anxious at once. Kangnam Yoo’s framing ability is top-class in the league.
He does have a weakness for stealing. However, with the help of coach Choi Gyeong-cheol, he is learning how to throw accurately and forcefully without exerting force by moving his center of gravity forward while correcting his throwing motion. His strikes are inherently one-hit ability. He has yet to have a season breaking the 20 home run wall, but there is room for his slugging power to rise as he gets out of Jamsil. Above all, the biggest advantage is durability that can digest many innings in a healthy way.
Kangnam Yoo said, “I did a lot of research on Lotte pitchers. He is looking at which balls he throws well and which ones he solves the game with. I try to prepare as well as possible. After receiving the ball, there are many potential friends (pitchers). He throws a good ball.”
Expectations for Park Se-woong and Kim Won-joong, who were dispatched to the WBC national team, are also different. Yoo Kang-nam said, “You have to understand the pitcher’s strengths and weaknesses, disposition, and even personality. Wonjoong received the ball a lot in Guam. Sewoong didn’t get the ball, but he knows because he played a lot at LG. Both are cool styles. Pitchers who know how to do well,” he said. In fact, the two pitchers showed good content in the national team evaluation match.
It is true that Lee Dae-ho’s gap is huge. Many point out that when Lee Dae-ho was there, he had to challenge for the championship by reinforcing his power and creating synergy like this offseason. However, Lee Dae-ho left anyway, and Lotte started a new game again. Yoo Gang-nam must play the role of the center and link.
Yoo Kang-nam said, “There is no burden. They are all the same players, starting from the same line. I talked a lot with the players at camp. We supported each other and got along well. Life in Busan begins now. I will prepare well and face the season.”