Lee Ho-sung (Samsung Lions), who is receiving starting lessons in the Futures League, got his first chance to make a start since turning pro, but it was a bitter pill to swallow.
Samsung’s Lee Ho-sung started the game against the Lotte Giants Future Team in the 2023 KBO Futures League at Gyeongsan Stadium on the 27th. It was the first time for Lee to start a game for either the first team or the Futures.
Lee got out of the jam in the first inning by getting Hwang Sung-bin to ground out to first base. He then gave up a hit to Jung Hoon, a walk to Kim Min-soo, and a single to Park Hyung-joon before striking out Kim Dong-hyuk to get through the inning without allowing a run.스포츠토토
But the second inning was a problem. He walked leadoff hitter Shin Yun-hoo and gave up a single to Jung Dae-sun. He then gave up an RBI double to Kang Tae-yul. Kim Se-min followed with a double to extend the lead to two, and Hwang Sung-bin and Jung Hoon followed suit. After getting Kim Min-soo on a single, Lee Ho-seong handed the mound over to Park Se-woong.
Lee ended up giving up four runs on three hits and three walks with two strikeouts in 1.2 innings. He threw 59 pitches. The team lost 6-8, and Lee was left with a bitter taste of defeat.
Lee is one of Samsung’s most promising pitchers. Selected by Samsung with the eighth pick in the first round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft from Incheon High School, Lee is known for his reliable delivery and changeup, but his biggest strength is his mental game. He is not easily shaken.
After being named to the opening roster, Lee was released from the first team on 16 April after three games with no wins and a 2.57 ERA. He was sent down to the Future for about a month. He was sent down to the Futures and had been preparing steadily for about a month before making his debut out of the bullpen against SSG on 18 April, throwing one scoreless inning.
As mentioned above, he has a steady delivery and is not easily rattled. He also has excellent game management skills. “His style is really bold and daring,” said Samsung coach Park Jin-man. “(Kang) Min-ho also praised Ho-sung for his game management skills. He doesn’t look like a young player. He has good mind control. I think he’s a little bold even in normal times.”
What does the future hold for Lee Ho-sung as he undergoes selection classes?
The Samsung Future Team also saw the faces of Kim Dong-yeop and Kim Jae-sung, who are preparing for their comebacks. Kim started at second base and designated hitter, going 1-for-3 with a run and two RBIs. Kim Jae-sung came in for Lee Byung-heon and went 1-for-4 with a walk.