In the first season of effectively entering a 'lifetime free agent contract', he vanished even from the second team. Veteran bullpen pitcher Koo Seung-min (35) of the Lotte Giants is once again going through camp.

After the end of last season, Koo Seung-min, who gained free agent (FA) status for the first time since his debut, signed a 2+2 year contract worth 2.1 billion won with Lotte and remained with the team. It is a contract structure that allows him to opt out for a market reassessment after two years. However, Koo Seung-min has great affection for Lotte and is effectively evaluated as having a lifetime contract with them.

Koo Seung-min has achieved results with remarkable consistency among league bullpen pitchers. From 2020 to 2023, he set the second longest record of four consecutive 20 holds. Additionally, with a total of 121 holds, he is a living history, having set the record for the most holds in Lotte franchise history. As long as Koo Seung-min is active, the records will continue to grow.

Especially from 2020 to last year, he appeared in 331 games over five years and recorded 306 innings. He was first in most games and third in most innings. Koo Seung-min climbed the mound without rest. He underwent elbow bone fragment removal surgery in 2019 but has since completed the season as a bullpen pitcher without major injuries. Consistency and health have been his virtues. This can also be interpreted as dedication to the team.

However, the medals of dedication seem not to be eternal. Koo Seung-min appeared in 66 games last year, posting a record of 5 wins, 3 losses, 13 holds, and an earned run average of 4.84 (31 earned runs in 57⅔ innings), experiencing ups and downs. His streak of four consecutive 20 holds was broken. This year, his first season after signing the FA contract, he has disappeared from the first team.

Koo Seung-min struggled on the 23rd of last month during the second game of the opening series against the LG Twins, recording ⅔ inning with 3 hits allowed (1 home run), 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, and 4 earned runs. His pitch was not impressive. His top velocity was only 144 km/h. He needed to hit the upper 140s in speed to have competitiveness, but that competitiveness has vanished.

Ultimately, he was removed from the first team on the 26th of last month. He later appeared in a Futures League game against NC on the 2nd and recorded 1 inning with 2 hits allowed (1 home run), 2 strikeouts, and 1 earned run. He was not overwhelming even in the second team.

Afterward, Koo Seung-min vanished. He judged that immediately pitching was not a problem. Manager Kim Tae-hyung noted on the 4th before the match against Doosan, "Koo Seung-min is in a state where it is not a problem for him to participate in the game." He then issued special instructions.

Manager Kim called the second team. He explained, "I called the second team to instruct them to train more to raise his pace and velocity," adding, "He should have enough game experience, right?" It is effectively his second spring camp being held alone.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung explained, "The player himself must have discussed some feelings with the pitching coach after going through the training repeatedly." The fortunate thing is that younger pitchers like Park Jin, Park Jun-woo, Jeong Hyeon-soo, and Song Jae-young are growing and occupying the bullpen, reducing pressure on each other. However, there may come a time when the presence and experience of proven pitcher Koo Seung-min will be needed.

It is uncertain when he will return immediately. The dedication Koo Seung-min has shown so far will not be forgotten. For now, he must remain in the second team and regain his condition, but all members of Lotte are cheering together as one for his return to being the original Koo Seung-min.

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