“(Jae-hak) Lee did a good job in the Futures (secondary) League. His pitches became more balanced and his delivery stabilized.”
NC Dinos homegrown ace Lee Jae-hak (33) pitched well for the second straight game. Although he was unable to record his first win of the season due to lack of run support, he pitched in a way that bodes well for the future 스포츠토토.
The right-handed sidearm pitcher, who entered the professional ranks in 2010 with the Doosan Bears, has been with NC since being selected by the then-new organization in the second round of the 2012 draft.
With a career record of 77 wins, 71 losses, and a 4.52 ERA until last year, Lee Jae-hak has been with the NC since its inception, so he holds many records for NC’s pitching staff, including most wins (76), first win, first complete game, and first rookie of the year.
However, Lee struggled in back-to-back seasons in 2021 and 2022, especially in 2022, when he went 3-8 with a 4.75 ERA. This was largely due to a shaky start, as he gave up 62 walks in 91 innings pitched.
In the aftermath, Lee was forced to spend his first spring training in the second team instead of the first team for the first time since joining the NC this year. He then consulted with the Futures League until earlier this month.
After such a difficult time, Lee Jae-hak has rebounded perfectly as of late. He made his first first-team start of the season against the Changwon Samsung Lions (1-2 NC loss) on the 21st, throwing six innings of one-hit ball with two walks and four strikeouts.
Lee then proved his worth on July 27 against the Changwon Hanwha Eagles (0-5 NC loss). He allowed three runs on two walks and an error in the top of the fourth inning, but didn’t face a single pitch.
However, the top of the fifth inning was disappointing. He gave up a walk to leadoff hitter Oh Sun-jin. After Lee Do-yoon followed with a single to left, Lee Jae-hak gave up the first run of the game when Lee’s bunt attempt was misplayed by the infield. First baseman Do Tae-hoon, who caught the ball, threw to third base, where Jang Jin-hyuk, who had pinch-hit for Oh, was ruled safe at third. Shortstop Kim Joo-won, who received the ball at third base, threw to first base to catch Lee Jin-young, but the ball slipped, allowing Jang to cross home plate.
A shaky Lee Jae-hak then gave up a double to Moon Hyun-bin with runners on second and third. However, it did not collapse. With runners on first and second after a sacrifice bunt by Jung Eun-won, Chae Eun-sung and Kim In-hwan hit back-to-back flies to left field to end the inning without further damage.
Lee Jae-hak, who also took the mound in the top of the sixth inning, finished off the day by retiring Noh Si-hwan (grounder to second base), Choi Jae-hoon (fly to left field), and Jang Jin-hyuk (fly to shortstop).
His final line was 6 innings, 2 hits, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, 3 runs, 2 earned. His total pitch count was 106, and his fastball was measured up to 145. Although he was unable to get any defensive or offensive support and will have to wait until next time to get his first win of the season, it’s a performance that will make you look forward to his next outing. What made Lee’s rebound so successful?
In a recent interview with reporters, NC pitching coach Kim Soo-kyung said, “When (Lee) was having a bad day, his pitching balance was off and his pitches were showing problems. “This time, I prepared well in the Futures League,” he said, “and this time, my pitching balance improved and my pitches stabilized. As my pitching balance improved, my pitches stabilized.”
Prior to his call-up to the first team, Lee Jae-hak appeared in seven games in the Futures League, going 3-1 with a 1.53 ERA. In particular, Coach Kim noted that Lee’s command of his pitches improved to the point where he issued only 16 walks in 35.1 innings pitched.
Coach Kim continued, “(Lee) came at a good time. “He was preparing well in the second team while paying attention to his pitching balance, and when he came to the first team, he continued to maintain it,” said Kim. He’s been working on his velocity, his changeup, which is his main weapon, and his pitches.”
Lee’s resurgence has been inspiring for his fellow NC pitchers. “I hope (Lee Jae-hak) can maintain his current form,” Kim said, “and (Lee) Jae-hak and (Choi) Seong-young (who pitched the winning game against the Busan Lotte Giants on April 24), they were down to the second team, but they didn’t give up and prepared well with the idea that they would get their chance, and I think they are doing a great job of helping them become a plus factor (for other players).”
Lee Jae-hak is gradually getting back to his best with his bone-crushing efforts despite all the difficulties. It will be interesting to see if he can get a ‘win’ in his next appearance.