Lim Jong-sung, who wore the iconic number 36 during his playing days with the Doosan Bears, became a hero of the Futures All-Star Game. Manager Lee Seung-yeop has identified him as the Bears’ next third baseman.
Doosan rookie infielder Lim Jong-sung, 19, started at third base for the Northern All-Stars at the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO Futures All-Star Game at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on May 5, going 2-for-4 with two doubles (one home run), one RBI and one run scored.
From his first at-bat, Lim made his mark on the fans of the 10 clubs. With the score tied 0-0 and the bases loaded in the top of the second inning, he hit a leadoff solo home run off Southern All-Star starter Han Cha-hyun (KT Wiz). Despite the unfavorable count of 1B-2S, he took a four-pitch pitch from Han and connected with it for a 120-meter home run to left-center field.
It was the first home run of the Futures League’s ‘0-homer’0 Lim Jong-seong since joining the professional ranks.
After striking out in the fourth inning and grounding out in the seventh inning, Lim came to the plate in the top of the eighth inning with the score 5-9 and hit a single to right field against Jeong Hyun-soo (Lotte Giants) for a multi-hit game. Ham Chang-geon (LG Twins) and Lim Jong-sung were the only other Northern All-Stars with more than two hits.
Im Jong-sung also had a “crazy presence” on defense. Down 2-9 with one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, he made a spectacular diving jumping catch on a line drive by Choi Jae-jin and threw it to first base to extend the out, 온라인카지노사이트 and in the bottom of the eighth inning, trailing 5-9, he made a diving catch on a line drive by Lee In-han and threw it cleanly to second base. It looked like the talent to succeed Heo Kyung-min as Doosan’s starting third baseman had been born.
Lim Jong-sung was named the Futures All-Star Game’s Most Valuable Player for his offensive performance.
He received 1 million won in prize money and Mediheal cosmetics products as a consolation prize.
Upon hearing about Lim’s performance, manager Lee Seung-yeop told reporters at Jamsil Stadium on Aug. 8, “He didn’t have a home run this season, but he hit one there. Is he a star player?” He laughed and said, “Our young player went to the Futures All-Star Game and showed good performance in front of baseball fans. I didn’t know how good he was because I only saw his second-team results, but he hit a home run in such an important game. I think it was an opportunity for people to recognize his name,” said Lee with a proud smile.
Lim Jong-sung is an infield prospect who was selected by Doosan with the 22nd overall pick in the third round of the 2024 KBO Draft out of Gyeongbuk High School, Lee’s alma mater. Upon joining the team, he proudly wore the number 36, which was Lee’s number during his playing days, and was invited to the star-studded festival after batting 2-for-5 with eight runs and 15 RBIs in 47 games in the Futures League.
A Doosan representative at the Futures All-Star Game said, “Jong-sung Lim is a prospect that the organization is looking to develop into an infield starter in two years. He’s been making a name for himself in the Futures League, and the club is keeping a close eye on his play.”
The manager went on to evaluate Lim Jong-sung as a third baseman who could succeed Heo Kyung-min in the future.
“The second-team evaluation is very good. I think he can have more value than his performance. I keep hearing reports that he has the qualities to be Doosan’s starting third baseman in the long run, so I’m watching his performance closely these days.” “I heard that he works very hard and sincerely in the second team. I think I’ll see him in the first team someday,” he said, noting the 19-year-old’s potential.