The left-hander, who was named a compensation player in hopes of playing a starting or middle-of-the-rotation role as an immediate powerhouse, has ended his season prematurely. Kim Yoo-young, 29, who LG designated as a compensation 메이저놀이터 player for Yoo Kang-nam last winter, is out for the season after being diagnosed with elbow surgery.
I was worried when I drafted him and excited afterward. LG was in deep trouble when it came to choosing a compensation player for Yoo Kang-nam’s free-agent (FA) move to Lotte. After debating between immediate power and future prospects, the team chose Kim Yoo-young based on his performance in the 2023 season.
Kim, who was drafted by Lotte in 2014, appeared in 68 games last year, the most since joining the organization. With Lotte lacking a left-handed pitcher in the bullpen at the start of the season, he found his niche as a closer, picking up eight saves in April alone. LG took note of her ability to pitch more than one inning on occasion, and during spring training in Arizona, manager Yoon Kyung-yeop put her on the short list of starting pitchers.
However, the results were not promising. He started the exhibition game and gave up seven runs (five earned) on six hits in 1.1 innings. He appeared in two more exhibition games as a middle reliever before being cut from the opening roster. He pitched a total of four games in the Futures League, totaling six innings and 10 runs before being diagnosed with elbow surgery. His last Futures League appearance was on May 31 against the Goyang Heroes.
LG president Cha Myung-seok announced Kim’s season-ending injury on May 16, saying, “Kim Yoo-young will have elbow surgery.” Right-hander Yoon Ho-sol, who was chosen as a compensation player for Chae Eun-sung, who was transferred to Hanwha, has also been out of action since his Futures League appearance on May 21, but plans to return to action soon.
Objectively speaking, it was difficult to have high expectations for him as a starting pitcher. He’s only made one start since joining the program, so he can’t be categorized as a starter. LG is still auditioning for homegrown starters, but it’s hard to say if Kim will get a spot.
What’s disappointing is the choice of compensation players. In addition to Kim, LG was considering sidearm pitcher Lee Kang-jun, a future resource. He was already committed to joining the Merchant Marine, but the team saw potential in Lee, who throws in the mid-140s. In the end, Lee became Kiwoom’s compensation player after Lotte signed Han Hyun-hee as a free agent after signing Yoo Kang-nam.
Compensation players don’t have a high success rate. However, there are times when they become key players in a team. Moon Dong-hwan and Lee Won-seok 토토 가입머니 즉시지급 became mythical players after being traded for compensation. LG has also signed right-hander Lim Jung-woo and left-hander Yoon Ji-woong as compensation players in the past, and they’ve become key bullpen pieces.
Last winter, the team drafted left-hander Kim Yoo-young and right-hander Yoon Hosol, both of whom were classified as top prospects at the time of the rookie draft, side by side, but it hasn’t paid off yet.