The 2023 KBO League Rookie of the Year competition is a two-part match between ‘right-handed 2nd year fireballer’ Moon Dong-ju (Hanwha Eagles) and ‘left-handed rookie talent’ Yoon Young-cheol (KIA Tigers).
The two pitchers faced off against each other in Gwangju on the 27th. Moon Dong-ju blocked 5 innings, but gave up 5 runs. At the end of the 6th inning, when the score was tied 2-2, lead hitters Kim Do-young and Na Seong-beom hit consecutive hits, and Choi Hyung-woo allowed a timely hit in the left center in the crisis of conceding a run. The responsible runner also hit home. Yoon Young-cheol gave up 2 runs and 2 hits (1 home run) and 4 walks in 4 innings. He recorded the most walks (based on one game) since his debut match against Gocheok Kiwoom Heroes on April 15th.
It is difficult to evaluate the match between the two players on this day. However, with Moon Dong-ju conceding a lot of runs, the rookie king’s tide has changed a bit.
Moon Dong-ju will not play any more in the regular season after the next appearance. He has already set a limit of 120 to 130 innings as a margin line for a long time. It is the level of player arm management. Moon Dong-ju is selected for the Hangzhou Asian Games (AG) baseball national team, which will open at the end of September, and will also participate in international competitions for the first time since joining the professional team. Hanwha is in a position to consider even the innings to be thrown in the tournament.
Until last week, Moon Dong-ju pitched in 22 games, pitched 114 and 1/3 innings, and recorded an ERA of 3.62 with an ERA of 8-8. Achieving a double-digit multiplier is practically difficult. His current record is also enough to challenge for the Rookie of the Year title. He went 4-5 with an earned run average of 3.61, throwing 94 and 2/3 innings in 19 games in which 2021 season winner Lee Eui-ri (KIA) also appeared.
Lee Eui-ri was practically a soloist system. On the other hand, Moon Dong-ju has a competitor. As of the 28th, Yoon Young-cheol appeared in 19 games (93 innings) and recorded an average ERA of 4.06 with 7 wins and 5 losses. Due to external variables such as rain and postponement, he played three fewer games than Moon Dong-ju.
Moon Dong-ju’s next appearance is highly likely to be against the LG Twins on the 2nd. If he makes a quality start (less than 3 earned runs over 6 innings) and wins, he will record 9 wins and an average ERA of 3.67.
According to the record, the opportunity for a comeback lies with Yoon Young-chul. Since KIA only played 18 games due to rain, there is no choice but to play the rotation until the end of the regular season. At least 6-7 more games.
More opportunity can be poison. However, based on the current win rate (0.583), it will win more than 10 wins. Of course, the fact that he is digesting a full-time selection for the first time should be considered as a variable of his physical decline. 안전놀이터
If Yoon Young-cheol wins 10 or more games and records an earned run average of 3 points, he will not be inferior to Moon Dong-ju in his record. However, it is the MVP and Rookie of the Year voting that reflects not only performance but also topicality, influence, rarity of records, and team contribution.
Moon Dong-ju shook the league in the first half with a quick ball. A pitcher with a fastball of 160km/h, which seemed to be the exclusive property of the Major League (MLB), appeared.
Yun Yeong-cheol, a skilled player, continued pitching with a sense of stability compared to his annual years with accurate control, a harsh deception from the batter’s point of view, and gradual adjustment. It is difficult for this type to attract attention with flashy pitches.
Yoon Young-cheol also has a powerful weapon. If you lead your team to the postseason (PS), you can suppress the topic of Moon Dong-ju. KIA is currently ranked 5th. It is competing with Doosan Bear. The role of starting pitcher for the rest of the season will become more important, and Yoon Young-chul will be able to appeal his value at the climax of the ranking competition.
From 2017, when Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom) received the award, to Lee Eui-ri, who received the award in 2021, the competition for the rookie king was strong for pure rookie players. He was also a soloist. For the first time in a long time this season, young gun pitchers are showing a competitive aspect. Attention is focusing on who will receive the rookie award, which is only given once in baseball life.