Kim Taek-yeon (20), the Rookie of the Year award in 2024, is quickly dispelling the anxiety of the head coach who was "just in case." She steadily improved her condition at the first spring camp in Sydney, Australia, and continued her excellent scoreless pitching in the second camp in Miyazaki, Japan.

Kim Taek-yeon took the mound as the third pitcher in the showdown between Lotte and Guchun held at Sunmarin Stadium in Miyazaki on the 2nd, and blocked him from throwing out one inning after 12 balls. He raised his maximum fastball speed to 150km, and even used sliders and splitters evenly. He has recorded three scoreless innings in three practice games so far.스포츠토토

After the game, Kim said, "I felt my condition is getting better. I will not let my guard down and raise my physical condition further so that I can show 100 percent of my performance in the opening game," adding, "You don't have to worry."

Doosan manager Lee Seung-yeop confirmed "finish Kim Taek-yeon" first while preparing for the season. That's how trustworthy he is. It is hard to find a suitable candidate other than Kim Taek-yeon. Ironically, the most worrisome of all was Kim Taek-yeon.

If Kim Taek-yeon, who is still young, is struggling to finish, the entire bullpen could be shaken. As the head coach, he couldn't help but pay attention to the aftermath of last season, when a 19-year-old pitcher just graduated from high school threw 65 innings. He also thought that the second season could be more difficult than the rookie season, which he threw without fear. It is the so-called "second-year jinx." During the Sydney camp, coach Lee worried, "From this year, (Kim) Taek-yeon will also start to see the name of the batter, which could complicate his mind."

Early in the camp, Kim was not in good physical condition. Even in the first camp in Sydney, he could not shake off his feeling of discomfort since the Premier 12 last year. However, he did not fret. He steadily built his body and elevated his pace. His fastballs, which used to stay in the mid-140km range in Australia, are now back on track.

Left-hander Lee Byung-hun, who will be paired with Kim Taek-yeon, is also on his way to the top ball.

In the game, Lee took the mound as the team's second pitcher, and allowed three outs and one inning. His fastball speed reached 145 kilometers. It was the first time in 15 days that he took the mound in real games since the game against Cheongbaek on April 14. "I tried to play fast with confidence," Lee said. "I don't like the speed of my pitches, but I know what I lack best. I will supplement it well during the exhibition games to show good performance during the regular season," Lee said.

Last season, Doosan was the only team among the 10 clubs to pass 600 innings of bullpen, which was a burden. Concerns were especially high in that the burden was concentrated on the youngest Kim Taek-yeon and Lee Byung-hun. Kim Taek-yeon far exceeded the 40-50 innings originally planned, and Lee Byung-hun took the mound 77 times, recording the most appearances.

If Kim Taek-yeon and Lee Byung-hun fail to show the same pitching capabilities as last year, Doosan's power will be hit hard this season. What Doosan paid the most attention to in preparing for the season was their pace adjustment.

"Lee Byung-hun and Kim Taek-yeon discussed with the manager to adjust their pace to match the season," Doosan pitching coach Park Jung-bae said. "If they both improve their condition in the remaining exhibition games, they will be able to start the season in good shape." It is an encouraging sign that Kim Taek-yeon and Lee Byung-hun are on track after completing all training schedules in the spring camp.

After completing all training sessions, Doosan will return to Korea on Wednesday. Starting with the Hanwha Eagles match in Cheongju on Tuesday, the team will start an exhibition game.