The 2023 season is a new challenge for LG absolute ace Casey Kelly. He broke up with Yoo Kang-nam (Lotte), whom he had been working with all along, and welcomed Park Dong-won as his new partner. Kelly has already started working with Park Dong-won through bullpen pitching.
Kelly recorded an average ERA of 2.89 with 58 wins and 31 losses in 114 career games for four years from 2019. He was also good last year with a 2.89 earned run average of 58 wins and 31 losses in 114 games. Even if his ability to check runners is slightly off, the departure of Kang-Nam Yoo, who manages the game in a delicate way that fits the characteristics of LG pitchers, is a big change for Kelly.
In a recent interview held at the San Francisco Giants Baseball Stadium in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA, Kelly said, “Since I talk about Gangnam through the interview, I am about to cry a little. Before he went back to the States after last season, he had a meal with Kang-Nam Yoo once. I was happy to hear that Kangnam Yoo had signed a contract with Lotte. Because he deserves that kind of treatment. On the one hand, it was very sad. We will keep in touch.” 메이저사이트
Park Dong-won is a little different type from Yoo Kang-nam. He has minor injuries and is two years older than the healthy and stamina Yu Kang-nam. However, he has a comparative advantage over Yoo Kang-nam in his ability to keep runners in check, defense, and punching ability to hit 20 home runs. He’s definitely a catcher that will do good for Kelly.
Kelly said, “I am delighted to recruit Park Dong-won. I dealt with Kiwoom and KIA, and he always gave me a hard time at bat. She has power and has the ability to hit one shot. Our offensive lineup will be strong. Blocking is good too. We will continue to talk and develop our relationship,” she said.
In addition to Yoo Kang-nam, Chae Eun-seong (LG) and Lee Hyeong-jong (Kiwoom) are also hitters who will face enemies from this season. “Honestly, it’s a difficult match,” said Kelly. He is a player who has to fight and win in the arena. I hope these players don’t hit against me.”
Kelly is in his 5th season at LG. He became the longest-running foreign pitcher in LG history. Most of the personal records prove that he is the best foreign pitcher in LG history. The most important thing for such Kelly is, of course, the resolution of LG’s long-cherished wish to win the Korean Series. Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop plans to ultimately build a strong 3rd to 5th starter to save the energy of Kelly and Adam Plutko and put them into the postseason.
Kelly said, “It is very strange and surprising for me to break all the records of LG’s foreign pitchers. I feel proud. On the baseball field, it is most important to do the things that need to be done without changing and to stay healthy. And consistency is important. Whether it’s the KBO League or the Major League, players who are good at baseball do it consistently for a long time. It’s only natural that if you do it consistently, your performance will come out better.”
Finally, Kelly said, “The postseason undefeated (the undefeated streak when Kelly started was broken in the playoffs against Kiwoom in 2022) has no particular meaning to me. It means nothing if a team loses its last game of the season. I have the mindset that I will always throw well in the postseason.”