“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; what happens if I don’t seize it?”

Doosan Bears right-handed prospect Kim Yu-sung made his start on the 12th against the LG Twins in the 2025 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League season's second game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, pitching 3⅔ innings with 3 hits, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts, 2 earned runs, and 82 pitches, resulting in his 3rd loss of the season (no wins).

He struggled with control starting from the bottom of the 1st inning when the score was tied at 0-0. After walking the leadoff hitter Shin Min-jae on a 9-pitch battle, he picked off first base runner Shin Min-jae, and got Kim Hyun-soo to ground out to second base. However, he then surrendered a straight walk to Austin Dean and managed to strike out Moon Bo-kyung after a 12-pitch battle. His pitch count reached a staggering 30 in the 1st inning after battling with 7 consecutive foul balls during a 2B-2S count.

He temporarily regained stability starting from the 2nd inning. After retiring Oh Ji-hwan, Moon Seong-joo, and Park Dong-won while striking out 2 batters in the bottom of the 2nd inning, he threw 15 pitches in the bottom of the 3rd inning to retire Song Chan-eui, Park Hae-min, and Shin Min-jae consecutively. It was a rare two consecutive 3-up, 3-down innings from Kim Yu-sung. Since he is a pitcher with good stuff, the LG batters found it hard to cope when he threw strikes.

In the 4th inning, still tied at 0-0, Kim Yu-sung allowed a right-field single to leadoff hitter Kim Hyun-soo, ending a streak of 7 consecutive outs. He then secured an out against Austin with a fly ball to left field, but as his control rapidly deteriorated, he fell behind Moon Bo-kyung with a favorable count of 0B-2S and eventually issued a walk after 7 pitches.

In a crisis with 1 out and runners on 1st and 2nd base, Kim Yu-sung fell behind 0B-2S against Oh Ji-hwan, after which he allowed a 1-RBI single to left field after 5 pitches. He also allowed a right-field single to Moon Seong-joo on the first pitch, but thanks to a laser throw home from right fielder Jake Cave, he prevented a run from scoring. Nevertheless, despite the defensive help, he walked Park Dong-won, creating a two-out, bases-loaded crisis before handing the baton to Lee Young-ha, who allowed a push-walk to Song Chan-eui, resulting in one inherited runner scoring.

Doosan, suffering from a lack of hitting, lost to rival LG 0-4, falling into a four-game losing streak, and Kim Yu-sung became the losing pitcher. As if that wasn’t enough, with the starter unable to endure four innings, the already fatigued bullpen, consisting of 6 pitchers, had to come in, putting the back-end operation in jeopardy on the 13th.

Kim Yu-sung was selected by Doosan in the 2nd round, 19th overall, in the 2023 rookie draft. Doosan evaluated Kim Yu-sung's potential highly, and despite the school violence risk, opted to name him earlier in the draft. He stood out since the last offseason camp, leading to being assigned to the No. 5 starting spot, but he has been struggling significantly with 2 losses, an ERA of 9.90 (11 earned runs in 10 innings), and no wins in 4 games.

Kim Yu-sung's biggest issue is his control problems. In 4 games spanning 10 innings, he has given up 9 walks and 2 hit-by-pitches, totaling 11 walks. His average number of walks per inning exceeds 1. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning) stands at 2.10, and his opponent's batting average is also at .300. At the Miyazaki spring camp in Japan, he received praise as his stuff was so good that batters couldn’t hit straight fastballs thrown right down the middle without thought, but he has struggled to find his control and has not been able to showcase his excellent stuff.

The manager is also frustrated with Kim Yu-sung's growing pains. Manager Lee Seung-yeop recently noted, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity; why aren’t you seizing it? You have to grab it yourself.” He added, “I have never told Kim Yu-sung to overwhelm the batters. I just told him to throw as many strikes as possible and compete. If he trusts his stuff and throws the pitch that he believes in, I can accept it, but as he keeps throwing more balls, it makes it difficult for the fielders and prolongs the game. He needs to show that he is not running away.” However, there was no sign of a turnaround.

Manager Lee Seung-yeop coupled his tough words with a strong message, saying, “I will give Kim Yu-sung another chance. Don’t miss that opportunity.” However, Kim Yu-sung again struggled with walks, failing to seize his chance. Manager Lee Seung-yeop's patience is increasingly wearing thin.

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