SSG was so worried about the bullpen that they didn’t decide on a permanent closer until just before the start of the season. However, they decided to give the closer role to Seo Jin-yong, who has the most save experience. Until last year, Seo’s pitching was 메이저놀이터 somewhat up and down, so there were some concerns.
However, Seo’s 2023 season is the most spectacular since his debut. In the first half of the year, he appeared in 37 games and posted 25 saves with a 1.21 ERA. No blown saves. He currently leads the league in saves. His velocity came up much faster than usual in the early going, and he was able to get out of the jam without letting a save opportunity slip through his fingers. Even with runners on base, he hasn’t allowed a run in the past.
The team is on track to break the team saves record. Seo will become only the fourth pitcher in franchise history to reach 30 saves, including his predecessor, the SK Wyverns. The club’s single-season saves record was set by Ha Jae-hoon in 2019 (36 saves), followed by current pitching coach Cho Woong-chun (2003, 30 saves) and current Hanwha pitcher Jung Woo-ram (2012, 30 saves). With more than 25 saves in the first half of the season alone, Ha could break the record if he adds 12 more saves in the second half. It’s certainly possible.
How does teammate and veteran senior Noh Kyung-eun view Seo’s performance? “Last year, when Jin-yong went up, I was nervous if there were runners on base. But this year, even if there are more than two runners on base, I feel like we’re going to get it done. His crisis management skills have really improved,” she praised.
“Seo Jin-yong is a forkball perfectionist. He throws a textbook forkball, and I think that’s why he’s been able to be a good closer.”
Of course, the help of his teammates cannot be overlooked. The SSG bullpen, anchored by Noh Kyung-eun, Ko Hyo-joon, Choi Min-joon, Lee Roon, Baek Seung-gun, and Lim Jun-seop, has the lowest ERA among the bullpens of the 10 clubs this season. “I’m telling Jin Yong-i, ‘We have a stake in what you do well,'” Noh said with a laugh. He rarely pitches in the eighth inning, so we jokingly ask him to recognize our share.”
Kim Won-hyung named Seo Jin-yong the MVP of the first half. The 2023 season has a lot of changes in store for him. Seo’s performance in the second half of the season will be crucial as the team tries to win the title. A lot will depend on how well he carries his first half performance into the second half. A glorious record is a bonus.