Im Chan-gyu
Overview
Im Chan-gyu (born November 20, 1992) is a right-handed pitcher for the LG Twins of the KBO League. Selected as the first overall pick in the 1st round of the 2011 rookie draft, he has been a franchise star guarding the team's mound for over a decade. Based on a fast fastball and various breaking balls, he has played a key role for the team by alternating between starting and relief duties, notably contributing significantly to the LG Twins' integrated championship in 2023.
Main Content
Debut and Early Years
Im Chan-gyu graduated from Gyeongnam High School and was selected by the LG Twins as the first overall pick in the 2011 rookie draft. He showed potential from his debut season but experienced ups and downs due to control issues and injuries. In his early years, he alternated between starting and relief roles to gain experience, and from 2014, he officially joined the starting rotation.
Growth as a Starting Pitcher
From 2015 to 2017, Im Chan-gyu consistently handled the rotation as a starting pitcher. In 2016, he recorded 10 wins, achieving double-digit wins for the first time. However, in 2018 and 2019, he faced difficulties due to injuries and poor performance, even moving between the first and second teams. In particular, he ended the 2019 season early due to an elbow injury.
Transition to Bullpen and Comeback
From 2020, Im Chan-gyu switched to a bullpen role. His velocity increased, and the effectiveness of his slider and curveball improved, securing him a spot in the winning group. In 2021, he appeared in 60 games, recording 5 wins, 3 losses, 10 holds, and an ERA of 3.18, marking the best season of his career. In 2022, he continued to play a key role in the bullpen, contributing to the team's postseason advancement.
2023 Integrated Championship and Career High
In the 2023 season, Im Chan-gyu returned to a starting pitcher role. He maintained stable pitching from the early season, recording 14 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 3.42, achieving his first double-digit wins and leading the team to the regular season championship. In the Korean Series, he started two games, posting 1 win and an ERA of 1.80, making a decisive contribution to the team's integrated championship. After the season, he became eligible for free agency (FA) for the first time in his career and signed a 4-year, 5 billion won contract with the LG Twins, remaining with the team.
Pitching Style
Im Chan-gyu throws a fastball with a maximum speed of around 150 km/h, along with a slider, curveball, and changeup. His slider is particularly notable for its sharp angle and control, confusing batters. As a starter, he uses a variety of pitches to cover long innings, while as a reliever, he relies on an aggressive approach with fastballs and sliders. Although his control can sometimes be shaky, he is praised for his excellent crisis management skills.
Latest Trends
In the 2024 season, Im Chan-gyu is in the first year of his FA contract and serves as a key part of the starting rotation. He showed some struggles early in the season but gradually found stability, recording 4 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA in the mid-4.00s by May. He is expected to play a crucial role in the LG Twins' starting rotation in 2025 as well, and is considered an important asset in the team's championship competition. Recently, he has focused on improving his control and the quality of his breaking balls rather than velocity, with the goal of consistently handling the rotation without injuries.
Related Topics
- [[LG Twins]]
- [[KBO League]]
- [[Korean Series]]
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