The Doosan Bears’ ambitious rookie pick. His character seems to have gotten a ‘passing grade’.
Doosan was all smiles in this year’s rookie draft. The team started a “dynasty” by reaching the Korean Series from 2015 to 2021, but they were far from the “biggest rookie” as they were pushed to the back of the rookie draft.
Doosan, which finished ninth last year and had the second overall pick, selected Incheon High pitcher Kim Taek-yeon, 18.
With a fastball that reaches over 150 kilometers per hour and guts on the mound, Kim went 7-1 with a 1.13 ERA in 13 games this year. Best of all, he walked just 10 batters in 64 1/3 innings, while striking out 97. He was aggressive with his pitches along with a reliable delivery.
Doosan had high hopes for Kim. The team gave him special treatment at the draft by preparing jerseys with his name on them. They invited his family to a ceremonial first pitch and offered him a contract worth 350 million won, the same as the No. 1 overall pick, Hwang Jun-seo (Hanwha).
A Doosan official said, “We judged him to be a national team player, and we saw that he was not inferior to Hwang Jun-seo, who was drafted first overall.” “We expect him to grow into Doosan’s closer in two to three years at the earliest.”
While most rookies join a closing camp to get a taste of the professional game, Doosan didn’t immediately invite Kim to join them. 먹튀검증토토사이트 There were concerns about his injury after he pitched five straight games for the youth national team in September, so he was given a break.
Kim joined the final camp at the last minute and only did light workouts, such as playing catch.
He could have been given more rest, but the decision to have him join the final camp for about a week was based on expectations for his performance next season. Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop said, “We need to verify, but we decided that Kim Taek-yeon should be in spring training,” adding, “I thought he should get to know the seniors and juniors from the wrap-up camp rather than joining the team right away on February 1. He’s still playing catch, but we brought him in to see the atmosphere at Doosan.”
Lee gave high marks to ‘personality’ above all else. When preparing for the rookie draft, many scouts gave Kim high marks for his personality. “Very good personality. He seems to be a very good person. He’s still in high school, but I had a very good feeling about him. We’re going to do spring training together next year. I joined Makam to shorten the adjustment period. It was a good time. All the staff will prepare for him to perform at his best in whatever position he plays and have an injury-free season.”
“I will do my best to play my role regardless of the position,” Kim said, “and I will do my best to grow as a player representing Dusan.” Kim looks forward to his first season.
