Kim Do-hyeon (24) and Kim Dae-ho (23), selected as the fifth starters for the KIA Tigers and Samsung Lions, were hit hard in a second-team game.
The two pitchers took the mound as starters on June 21 at Hampyeong Challengers Field in the 2025 Korea Professional Baseball Futures League. Kim Do-hyeon recorded 9 earned runs after pitching 5 innings, allowing 10 hits, 3 home runs, and striking out 2. Kim Dae-ho recorded 8 earned runs in 4 innings, allowing 7 hits, 3 home runs, 2 walks, and striking out 2.
Kim Do-hyeon struggled from the first inning. After one out, he gave up two consecutive hits and allowed a 3-run home run to Kim Jae-hyeok, resulting in 3 earned runs. He managed to retire the side in order in the second inning, but in the third inning, he surrendered a home run on the first pitch to Kim Tae-hoon after one out.
In the fourth inning, he gave up 3 earned runs after allowing 3 consecutive hits. In a subsequent situation with one out and runners on first and second base, he allowed a double to Ahn Joo-hyung and a 3-run home run to Lee Hae-seung. The earned run total increased to 9. In the fifth inning, he handled all three batters by ground balls and finished his outing, having thrown 81 pitches and meeting the required number for starting pitchers.
Kim Dae-ho also allowed a big inning in the first. With a 3-0 lead, he allowed a hit and a walk after one out and then gave up a timely hit to Oh Seon-woo. He followed that with a 3-run home run to Lee Young-jae and allowed a timely double to Han Seung-taek, resulting in the fifth earned run. In the second inning, he surrendered a 125-meter home run to Kim Seok-hwan.
He took the mound again in the fifth inning but allowed another 125-meter home run to lead-off batter Kim Seok-hwan. After giving up a double to Byeon Woo-hyeok, his outing came to an end. The inherited runner scored after Lee Jae-ik took over, bringing the total earned runs to 8. He threw 78 pitches.
After fierce competition with Hwang Dong-ha, Kim Do-hyeon was selected as the fifth starter for the 2025 season. He performed as a substitute starter last season and was also a key player in the Korean Series championship. He earned recognition for his pitching ability and command of breaking balls. He is scheduled to make his first appearance in three games against the Kiwoom Heroes next week in Gwangju.
With last year's one-two punch, Denny Reyes and Won Tae-in, out, Kim Dae-ho was also designated as a substitute fifth starter. If his appearance is confirmed, he will pitch against the NC Dinos next week.
Both pitchers took the mound in the Futures game to make final adjustments and check their pitching performance. While it might not hold great significance due to the focus on pitch types, trajectories, and balance, the high earned runs and large number of runs allowed were unexpected. It is possible that their command will temporarily drop in the last stage of adjustments.
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