The remarkable growth of ‘left-handed prospect’ Choi Ji-min (19) makes the KIA Tigers happy.

On the 16th, Choi Ji-min pitched in relief in an away game against the Samsung Lions in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu.

In the bottom of the 6th inning when the team was trailing 1-2, Choi Ji-min scrambled with 2 out and 1st base. Choi Ji-min, who came to the mound following starting pitcher Sean Anderson, finished the inning by treating Kim Young-woong as a floating ball for third baseman in the first pitch.

KIA succeeded in turning 8-2 with the other line producing 7 points at the beginning of the 7th inning. In the bottom of the 7th inning, Choi Ji-min kept the mound. Choi Ji-min blocked lead hitter Lee Seong-gyu with a straight hit to third baseman, then allowed a heavy hit to Kim Ji-chan.

Afterwards, Lee Jae-hyun struck out on a swing, but he dedicated a left-handed hit to Jose Pirella and was driven to 2nd, 1st and 2nd base. Choi Ji-min was not shaken in the crisis. He escaped the hurdle by tying follow-up hitter Koo Ja-wook with a floating ball in left field. Choi Ji-min passed the baton to Lim Ki-young in the 8th inning to finish the mound.안전놀이터

On this day, Choi Ji-min pitched a good pitch with 2 hits, 2 hits, 1 strikeout and no run in 1⅓ innings. The team won 8-2, giving Choi Ji-min his first career win. This year’s record is 1.42 ERA in 19 innings with 1 win and 1 hold in 15 games. 

Choi Ji-min, who stayed with an ERA of 13.50 in 6 games last year, which was his debut season, is showing a completely different side this season. He is no longer a secret weapon, but a treasure on the team’s bullpen mound.