Can 'prospect' Lee Gang-jun of the professional baseball team Kiwoom Heroes unleash his potential this year?
Kiwoom has many pitchers who throw powerful fastballs. Among them is sidearm pitcher Lee Gang-jun (23). He made his professional debut in 2020 after being selected by KT Wiz.
A graduate of Seorak High School, he was selected in the 2020 second draft third round as the 22nd overall pick by KT. However, he did not stay long. In July 2021, he was traded with infielder Oh Yun-seok and catcher Kim Jun-tae.
At that time, Lee Gang-jun was a pitcher capable of throwing at speeds of 150 km/h, garnering attention. However, his time with Lotte was also brief. After Lotte acquired free agent pitcher Han Hyun-hee, Lee Gang-jun joined Kiwoom as a compensatory player.
Kiwoom acquired Lee Gang-jun, who is confirmed to enlist in the military. They saw great potential in him. Last year, he posted impressive statistics with a record of 3 wins, 1 loss, and 11 saves in 44 Futures League games (47⅓ innings) with an earned run average of 0.74 and 37 strikeouts.
He is a pitcher who can easily throw over 150 km/h. His control is also solid. After training in Arizona, United States, he has well prepared for the 2025 season during the camp period in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
On the 9th, he showed an impressive performance in a practice game against NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park for the 2025 KBO season.
In the bottom of the eighth inning with the team trailing 2-7, Lee Gang-jun took the mound and struck out the first batter, Song Seung-hwan, in three pitches. All three pitches were fastballs over 150 km/h. He induced the second batter, Do Tae-hoon, to hit a ground ball to third base for an out. He threw fastballs, sliders, and two-seam fastballs.
Against the third batter, Shin Yong-seok, he threw three two-seam fastballs but surrendered a hit. However, he induced Park Han-gyeol to hit a ground ball to second base, getting the lead runner out and ending the inning.
Lee Gang-jun, who passed through KT and Lotte before serving in the military. Attention is on whether he can fully showcase his true abilities this year while wearing the Kiwoom jersey.
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