Lotte Giants Na Kyun-an is finally starting to walk on a flowery path.
On the 30th, the Lotte Giants completed his 2023 annual salary contract. Here, Kyun-an Na will receive an annual salary of 109 million won, up 87.9% from 58 million won last season, for the first time in his life.
Na Kyun-ahn’s baseball life was not smooth. After graduating from Masan Yongma High School, he wore a Lotte uniform in the 2nd round of the 2017 rookie draft.
At that time, Na Kyun-an was called the greatest catcher since high school, and from the first year he joined the team, he received a lot of expectations, such as taking a seat in the first team game.
However, his pro wall was high. Na Kyun-an’s defensive ability was mediocre, and at bats, his batting average was only in the 10% range, and he gradually lost his place in the first team stage.
After that, the direction he chose was to become a pitcher. In 2020, Na Kyun-an continued to challenge on the Futures mound based on his strong shoulder, which was considered his strength.
His name was also changed from Na Jong-deok to Na Gyun-ahn. At the time, Kyun-an Na said, “He has the meaning of being a person who goes up as high as he puts effort into his name.”
The result of his efforts is a great success. Last season, Na Kyun-an played a pivotal role in Lotte’s middle relief with an average ERA of 3.98 with 3 wins, 8 losses, and 123 strikeouts in 39 games and 117.2 innings.
Here, whenever there was a hole in the starting rotation, he also appeared as an alternative starter.
In particular, from August of last year, he succeeded in getting a spot in the Lotte starters, and his potential for development is still limitless.
He overcame considerable criticism and hard times, and until he grew into a pitcher with an annual salary of 100 million won for the first time in his life, Na Kyun-ahn literally led a human victory. 스포츠토토
Na Kyun-an is expected to show effort on the mound this season as well.
Attention is focusing on what kind of impression Na Kyun-an will be able to provide.