Will a success story for a compensation player be written?
KIA Tigers newly transferred right-handed pitcher Hong Min-gyu (20) delivered a perfect outing that gave hope. He made his first appearance in the second game of the Incheon opener against the SSG Landers on the 29th, shutting them down perfectly and making a splendid debut for his new team. The team suffered the sting of back-to-back losses as the bullpen it relied on buckled under opening-day pressure, but Hong Min-gyu's flawless performance was a small consolation.
After one out in the bottom of the fourth, when the second pitcher Hwang Dong-ha gave up a consecutive at-bat home run to Ko Myung-jun and even issued a walk, Hong entered as a relief pitcher. He handled a flyout to center fielder Kim Sung-uk and a flyout to right fielder Jo Hyung-woo to end the inning. He returned to the mound in the fifth, inducing a flyout to left fielder Jeong Jun-jae and a 1-3 groundout by Park Seong-han, then used a brilliant changeup against Eredia to get a swinging strikeout.
He retired five batters cleanly and perfectly. With a 9-0 large lead, you could say SSG batters took aggressive swings, but his confident delivery of his pitches was impressive. His fastball reached a top speed of 145 km/h. His main weapon, the changeup, worked well, and he mixed in a curve and a slider to produce a no-hit performance.
A graduate of Yatap High School, he was a prospect selected by Doosan with an early third-round pick in the 2025 rookie draft. As a rookie he appeared in 20 games, recording 2 wins (one in relief), 1 loss, 1 save and a 4.59 ERA, raising expectations as a next-generation player. After the season, when starting shortstop Park Chan-ho obtained free-agent status and transferred to Doosan, KIA selected him as a compensation player.
He was evaluated as having first-team experience and command and breaking-ball ability. While the plan was to develop him into a core pitcher long-term, there was also hope he could be an immediate contributor. He drew attention by pitching steadily in spring camp practice and exhibition games. Manager Lee Beom-ho included him on the opening-day roster. The judgment was that he could be used as an immediate contributor, and Hong Min-gyu met the manager's expectations with a clean outing in his first appearance.
The KIA pitching staff collapsed over the two opening games. In the March 28 opener, James Naile delivered six scoreless innings of solid pitching. But free agent acquisition and designated finisher Kim Beom-Su gave up three runs in the seventh, providing an opening for a comeback. Closer Jung Hae-young could not overcome a three-run deficit in the ninth, and Cho Sang-woo committed a game-ending wild pitch that resulted in a loss.
In the second game, starter Lee Yi-ri lasted two innings and gave up four runs before being pulled early. Hwang Dong-ha, who followed in a 1+1 role, also failed to show his stuff and gave up six runs. Kim Ki-hoon issued two walks and even threw a wild pitch, allowing one run. The bullpen allowed 14 runs over the two games. The bullpen ERA reached 14.04. The collapsed bullpen was the reason for the two-game losing streak.
It was proud to see Hong Min-gyu preserve five outs. Above all, despite his youth he received applause for throwing his pitches from the mound without wavering. In his first appearance he was tasked with eating multiple innings in a losing game, but if his velocity improves and his steadiness continues, he could be used in more important situations. The 20-year-old pitcher made a strong start toward a success story.
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