The LG Twins are in first place, but there’s no peace of mind. A change in the starting rotation is inevitable. It looks like 2020 first-round pick Lee Min-ho will get his chance.
On July 11, LG removed Won-tae Choi from the first team roster.
Choi, who switched to the stripes on July 29 in a three-way trade, lived up to expectations with a six-inning no-hitter against Doosan in Jamsil on July 30.
However, things didn’t go well after that, as he gave up runs in six consecutive games. In that span, he went 1-2 with a 10.13 ERA. Including the seven games he pitched after the transfer, he was 2-2 with an 8.27 ERA in 32⅔ innings.
The addition of Choi Won-tae stabilized the Korean starting rotation and solidified the five-man lineup, but more than a month later, change is inevitable.
LG is likely dropping Choi to the second team to give him time to regroup.
LG has been preparing a starter in the second team in case of a slump or injury, so they have a pitcher to fill Choi’s void.
Lee Min-ho, who won 12 games last year and served as the fourth starter, will likely get the opportunity. Manager Yoon Kyung-yeop has also mentioned Lee Min-ho’s name as the next man up, so he’s also waiting to return to the first team. Kim Yun-sik and Son Ju-young, who were already preparing for the call-up, have already been called up. Now it’s Lee Min-ho’s turn.
Lee Min-ho was removed from the roster earlier in the season due to an elbow injury. He returned after about a month, but was unable to regain his form and was sent back down to the second team on June 23. In five games with the first team, he went winless with two losses and a 5.03 ERA.스포츠토토
After working his way back into the starting rotation in the Futures League, Lee has shown signs of resurgence. On August 18, he allowed one run in 5⅔ innings against Hanwha, and on August 26, he allowed one run (unearned) on six hits with four strikeouts in six innings against Samsung. In his most recent start, he tossed six innings of three-hit ball against the Goyang Heroes on August 5, striking out seven and walking none. In three games, he went 17⅔ innings and swept the three games. His ERA is just 0.51.
It’s a good sign that he’s ready to return to the first team. It will be interesting to see if Lee Min-ho, who won 12 games last year and was the hope of the LG, will be able to make an impact in the second half.