Attention was focused.

On the 20th, a second team game between the 2025 Futures League LG Twins and SSG Landers was held at the Ganghwa SSG Futures Field. A large number of executives from the LG Twins were present, including Kim In-seok, CEO of LG Twins, Seo Yong-bin, KODI (development coordinator), and Kim Gwang-sam, first team pitching coach. It was rare for a CEO to attend an away game for the second team.

It was to watch FA pitcher Jang Hyun-sik's pitching. It was the first game Jang Hyun-sik would pitch while wearing the LG uniform. Although it was a second team game, it marked his official debut. LG acquired Jang Hyun-sik in November last year with a four-year FA contract worth 5.2 billion won. Jang Hyun-sik, who suffered an ankle injury during spring camp, attempted to pitch in a practice game but that was canceled due to rain and snow; thus, he made his debut on the mound for the second team that day.

On this day, Jang Hyun-sik took the mound as the second pitcher in the 7th inning, leading 8-0, following starter Lim Chan-kyu. SSG's starting lineup consisted of Han Yu-seong (right fielder), Go Myung-jun (first baseman), Ha Jae-hoon (left fielder), Oh Tae-gon (center fielder), Jo Hyung-woo (catcher), An Sang-hyun (third baseman), Kim Chan-hyung (shortstop), Kim Gyu-min (designated hitter), and Seok Jeong-woo (second baseman). Key hitters from the first team, such as Han Yu-seong and Ha Jae-hoon, who had limited appearances due to canceled practice games, appeared in the top order.

Jang Hyun-sik threw a fastball to lead-off hitter An Sang-hyun, with the scoreboard reading 140 km/h. His second pitch was also a 140 km/h fastball. An Sang-hyun made contact with the bat, and the ball resulted in a double that hit the center fence.

With no outs and a runner on second base, Jang Hyun-sik's second pitch, a fastball (141 km/h), headed towards Kim Chan-hyung's face, causing the batter to nearly fall backward in surprise. On the fifth pitch, a fastball (139 km/h), Jang secured an out with a pop-up to the right fielder. The runner on second tagged up and advanced to third base. With one out and a runner on third, Jang threw a fastball (141 km/h) to Kim Gyu-min, resulting in a pop-up to the left fielder for the second out. The ball did not travel far enough for the runner on third to tag up for home.

However, with two outs and a runner on third, Jang Hyun-sik threw three consecutive sliders to Seok Jeong-woo. After getting hit with a slider at 127 km/h on the second pitch, he allowed a two-run home run over the left fence. He then dealt with Lee Seung-min, getting him to hit a line drive out to right field, finishing the inning.

In one inning, Jang allowed two hits, one home run, and two earned runs. The scoreboard displayed his fastest fastball at 141 km/h, while the LG analysis team reported it at a maximum of 142 km/h. He threw 18 pitches, with 9 of them being balls, indicating somewhat poor control. The slider that allowed the home run was poorly placed over the center. The fastball speed also came in lower than expected. Given it was his first appearance, he was not in optimal condition or form.

After the game, Jang Hyun-sik noted, "It’s significant that I completed my first game well. I believe the velocity will come up quickly once I get past the nervousness."

Jang Hyun-sik twisted his foot in mid-February during a spring camp in Arizona, USA, and sustained an ankle injury. He underwent an X-ray examination at a local hospital in the U.S., which confirmed that there were no issues with the bones. After returning early, Jang received an MRI and a detailed examination in Korea, where he was diagnosed with a partial tear of the ligaments on the outside of his right foot.

He planned to pitch in second team games and practice games after completing rehabilitation, but those appearances were canceled due to rain and snow. The game against Doosan on the 16th was canceled due to rain, and the practice game against NC on the 18th was canceled due to heavy snowfall, preventing his debut. He conducted two bullpen sessions, and on this day, he finally took the mound in a real game.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said after the practice game on the 18th, "I will consider whether to pitch Jang Hyun-sik in the second team game on the 20th and immediately include him in the opening day roster, or pitch again this weekend and register him in the roster next Tuesday. I will make a decision based on how he performs on the 20th."

Kim Gwang-sam, the pitching coach, observed Jang Hyun-sik's pitching at the scene and said, "I will report today’s performance to the manager, and he will make the decision." The fastball speed was recorded at 142 km/h, and overall, the pitching performance in his first appearance was somewhat disappointing.

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