“I’m not very greedy” Kia left-hander’s 10-win challenge… Rookie of the Year game changes, while top contender Moon Dong-joo ends season with 8 wins and 3.72 ERA

Could KIA Tigers left-handed rookie Yoon Young-cheol (19) be a game-changer for the Rookie of the Year?

In his last start against the SSG Landers at SSG Landers Field in Incheon, Yoon pitched five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits (one home run) with five strikeouts to earn his eighth win of the season.

He is now in the Rookie of the Year race with Hanwha Eagles “Fireballer” Moon Dong-ju. According to Sports2eye, Moon’s WAR (wins above replacement) of 2.25 is higher than Yoon’s (1.26). However, Moon’s early end to the season has made the Rookie of the Year race more difficult to predict.

In his last start against the LG on April 3, Moon gave up three runs on 11 hits (one home run) with two walks and two strikeouts in 4⅓ innings. With over 30 games left in the regular season, his run is over. Moon finished the season with an 8-8 record and a 3.72 ERA in 23 games.

Until the third day, Moon had pitched more innings than Yoon (118⅔), but he was dropped from the first team roster. This is because he needs to rest and take care of his body until he is called up for the Asian Games in late September. The season ends with a 120-inning limit.안전놀이터

This gives Yoon an advantage. Yoon has pitched 98 innings through two days. He still has five or six more games to pitch. If he wins two of them, he’ll be a 10-win pitcher in his debut season. Ten wins is symbolic for a pitcher. If a rookie reaches that mark, he’s bound to have an advantage in the Rookie of the Year race.

“I don’t have a lot of ambition,” Yoon said. “I just throw what I’m given. I have about six pitches left, and it’s important to just throw without getting hurt. If I try to be greedy, it’s worse,” he said.

While 10 wins would give him a significant advantage in the Rookie of the Year race, Yoon repeatedly said, “I’m not going to be greedy and just throw one batter, one batter, one inning, one inning, one inning.”

While 10 wins and a rookie title are important to him, he’s more focused on getting the team to play fall baseball. “If you’re a player, fall baseball is the stage you want to be in. However, the team is still competing for rankings. It’s still an important time.”

In 20 games, Yoon has an 8-5 record with a 4.13 ERA. He has six quality starts and a WHIP of 1.39. Moon has seven quality starts and a 1.31 WHIP. However, while Moon is at the Hangzhou Asian Games, it will be interesting to see if Yoon can stay injury-free, add more wins and pitch more innings to make a difference.