Choi Ha-neul, who joined Lotte in 2018 after graduating from Gyeonggi High School, transferred to Samsung in January 2022. On August 19, 2022, Choi reported his first win in five ⅔ innings with five hits, two outs and three strikeouts. 스포츠토토
He took the mound three times in the first division last year, and suffered two losses without winning. His ERA was 19.89. He garnered six wins and three losses in 17 games. He posted an ERA of 2.45 to rank No. 1 in the Southern League.
Last year, Choi had a maximum speed of around 130 kilometers, but he continued systematic training throughout the winter, rising to around 140 kilometers. Choi started at the Futures Team spring camp but got a chance to join the team's spring camp with his powerful pitching.
Analysts say that as his ball speed has improved, his power of changeups has doubled. Lee, who is competing with left-hander Lee Seung-hyeon and right-hander Lee Ho-seong for the fifth year, is highly likely to get a chance to play in the first division even if he fails to join the starting lineup.
Choi has been scoreless in three consecutive games in the Okinawa League. In a practice match against the Nippon-Ham Fighters on the 12th, Choi returned three batters with a fly ball to the third base, a strikeout, and a grounder to the third base in the ninth inning, when he was trailing by 1-13.
Choi Ha-neul, who completed a three-out inning in his first appearance, showed off a clean sheet in a practice game against the Chiba Lotte Marines on the 14th.
Choi took the mound as the fifth pitcher of his team in the seventh inning when his team was losing 0-6, and pitched well with one walk and no run in the first inning. He pitched well with one hit, one strikeout and no run in the first ⅓ as the second pitcher following left-hander Lee Seung-hyun who started the Nippon-Ham on Sunday.
Choi Ha-neul, who did not take the mound against Hanwha on the 26th and Lotte on the 27th, is expected to play against KIA on the 1st of next month.
Before the Samsung-Lotte match (Akama Ball Park) on the 27th, Lotte pitching coach Joo Hyung-kwang and Samsung pitching coach Jung Min-tae gave words of blessing to Choi Ha-neul and cheered for his performance this season.
Choi Ha-neul, who was born in 1999, has resolved military service issue early on. Choi Ha-neul, who has improved power by boosting his speed, is drawing keen attention to how he will perform this season.