Will Kim Ki-hoon (24), who is in the spotlight as "the successor of Yang Hyeon-jong," be able to show full performance in the 2025 season.스포츠토토
Kim Ki-hoon is a native of Gwangju who went to Suchang Elementary School, Mudeung Middle School and Dongseong High School in Gwangju. He was the first choice in the 2019 rookie draft and joined the Kia Tigers. As he was a junior to Yang Hyeon-jong, Kia's top franchise star, when he joined the team, he attracted attention as the "second Yang Hyeon-jong."
Contrary to expectations, Kim's growth has slowed down in the professional arena. Kim Ki-hoon posted an ERA of around five points every year in the 2019 season (5.56) and the 2020 season (5.37) respectively. He rebounded with an ERA of 1.04 (one run in eight ⅔ innings) in the last five games of the 2022 season after being discharged from the military service, but his performance declined again with two wins and an ERA of 4.60 in 29 games in the 2023 season.
Kim Ki-hoon, who spent the first half of the 2024 season in the Futures League, headed to the U.S. in late June. He modified his pitching form at the Tread Athletics Training Center in the U.S.
After sweating profusely in the U.S., he was called up by the first team last August. His performance in the second half of the year was impressive. Kim Ki-hoon pitched in eight games (eight ⅓ innings) in August with a zero ERA. Although his ERA soared to 5.03 by allowing four runs in ⅔ innings against the Lotte Giants on Sept. 28, he played an important role in KIA's bullpen.
Thanks to his strong performance in the second half of the season, he joined the Korean Series entry. Kim Ki-hoon took the mound in the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and runners on the first and second bases in Game 3 of the Korean Series against the Samsung Lions on October 25, but was replaced by Hwang Dong-ha after allowing wild pitches and walks due to poor control. He was sluggish in the Korean Series, but he got his first career championship ring as KIA beat Samsung with four wins and one loss.
Kia's fans are eager to see Kim Ki-hoon become the successor of Yang. If Kim meets fans' expectations, Kia's back door will provide more stability. Attention is focusing on whether Kim Ki-hoon will be able to break the egg in the 2025 season.