Choi Wontae Shines In First Start For Samsung Lions

On March 25, 2025, the Samsung Lions faced the NC Dinos in an electrifying contest at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, marking an auspicious debut for Choi Wontae, who took the mound as the starting pitcher for the Lions.

Choi Wontae, making his first regular season appearance after signing a lucrative four-year contract worth up to 7 billion won (about 5.3 million USD), was seen as a crucial addition to a team looking to improve its standing in the KBO League. The young pitcher, now 28, demonstrated the potential that made him an attractive signing. With a fastball clocked at an impressive 150km/h, Choi opened the game by striking out NC's first batter, Park Min-woo, with a swing.

However, the inning wasn't without its challenges. After getting ahead with two strikes against Kim Joo-won, Choi walked him, and the Dinos built some pressure with a hit from Son Ah-seop, putting two runners on base. Consecutively, Matt Davidson lashed out a sacrifice fly, bringing in a run, while a deflected hit off second baseman Ryu Ji-hyeok allowed another run to cross home plate. At the end of the first inning, Choi already had two runs against him, but he looked determined to find his rhythm.

In the second inning, Choi showcased his capability, as he effectively retired the side by striking out Park Se-hyuk within two pitches and inducing two quick outs against Kim Hwi-jip and Kim Seong-wook, proving he had settled into the game.

The third inning saw Choi facing some adversity yet again when he allowed a leadoff single to Kim Joo-won. Nevertheless, he adeptly maneuvered out of that situation by forcing Son Ah-seop into a ground ball, thus escaping unharmed. 

Moving into the fifth inning, Choi encountered arguably the most significant challenge of his outing. The Dinos threatened, loading the bases against him after a walk to Park Min-woo and another to Kim Joo-won following a full count. In a moment fraught with tension, he faced Davidson again and struck him out with consecutive fastball pitches. However, Park Kun-woo brought in two runs with a sacrifice fly and Kwon Hee-dong followed with a timely hit, pushing in yet another run as Choi's outing neared its challenging end.

Despite these difficulties, Choi Wontae managed to limit further scoring, finishing the day with 5 innings pitched, 6 hits allowed, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts, and 4 earned runs given up. His fastest pitch was recorded at 151km/h, demonstrating his promise for the season ahead. After the fifth inning, Choi stepped off the mound, exchanging a high-five with his teammates including Lee Jae-hyun, who was pivotal in the subsequent turnaround of the game.

Lee Jae-hyun notably ignited the Lions' offense in the second inning. With two outs and runners on first and second, he launched a breathtaking three-run home run over the center field fence, igniting cheers from the home crowd and changing the momentum of the game significantly. Choi could be seen celebrating with Lee, emphasizing the team spirit.

Reflecting on the day's performance, manager Park Jin-man praised Choi Wontae, stating, “He has been the player most prepared since spring camp. So, there’s nothing more to say. I trust him completely.”

With this match under his belt, Choi Wontae looks to build on this debut, further solidifying his role as a valued member of the Samsung Lions' starting rotation. As the season progresses, fans and management alike remain optimistic about what he can bring to the table, particularly with his proven track record—a consistency that saw him over 1,000 innings pitched before his 28th birthday, paving the way for the expectations of stability from his performances this season.

With new beginnings, the Lions look to capitalize on Choi Wontae’s potential while continuing to seek a higher placement in the KBO standings.