# A starter's handful...building a one-two punch in the first round could be a reality, not a dream

The Samsung Lions have a reliable starting pitcher on the rise. They already have domestic ace Won Tae-in. If they can add left-handed pitcher Lee Seung-hyun (22) to the mix, they'll have an even stronger mound. The dream one-two punch of a first-round pick could become a reality.

Lee started against the Samsung Lions in the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at the Gocheok Sky Dome on Sept. 9. He threw six innings of four-hit ball with two walks and three strikeouts. He pitched a quality start (six innings of three earned runs or less). With the help of his offense, Lee picked up his fourth win of the season (3-3). Behind Lee's performance, Samsung defeated Kiwoom 7-1 and snapped a four-game losing streak.

After the game, Lee said, “It's good to break the losing streak and start a new week. I think the team will be able to start with a fresh mind from next Tuesday,” Lee said after the victory.

Lee had only thrown 89 pitches that day. He could have pitched one more inning, but the Samsung bench decided to make a pitching change. The decision was made because Lee was pitching twice a week. Lee had pitched six innings against the SSG Landers in Incheon on April 4, giving up one run on three hits, one walk, and one home run while striking out five and walking one.

"I was in a situation where I could have gotten a quality start plus (pitching seven innings with three earned runs or less). I had the desire to pitch until the seventh inning, but I was disappointed (to have to come off the mound after pitching only [토토](https://www.majortotosite.top) six innings). My coach told me that I was throwing twice a week and that I needed to take care of it,” he said of his decision to come off the mound.

He also thanked Daesebae Kang Min-ho, who pitched on the battery. "I didn't do a good job, but Minho did a good job. The defense was really stable today, so I think I was able to pitch a no-hitter,” he said, handing the ball over to Minho Kang.

The manager was also pleased with Lee's performance. "Our starting pitcher, Lee Seung-hyun, pitched effectively against a strong Kiwoom batting lineup. He was able to set the tone early on,” said Park, who credited Lee with the team's victory in the series.

A graduate of Daegu Sangwon High School, Lee became a Lionsman in the first round of the 2021 draft and was recognized as a fireballer with a fastball that topped 150 kilometers when he joined the team. After joining the organization, he was used as a bullpen pitcher, but his development was slow. In his rookie season in 2021, he went 1-4 with a 4.53 ERA in 41 games and 39⅓ innings, followed by a 4.53 ERA in 58 games and 47⅔ innings with two wins, four losses, 14 holds, one save, and a 4.98 ERA in 48 games and 43⅓ innings with five wins, seven losses, five saves in 2023.

Heading into this season, Lee announced his transformation into a starting pitcher. During the offseason, Lee spent time in the Australian League, where he was a starter. He battled for the fifth spot in spring training and continued to learn the ropes in the Futures League after the start of the season. Once he made the transition to the starting lineup, Lee has been stellar in every game and has solidified his place in the Samsung starting rotation. He's even showing some signs of success.

Samsung has struggled to develop young starting pitchers. Outside of Won Tae-in, no pitcher has really stood out, but Lee Seung-hyun is gaining experience and developing into a starter. If he continues his growth curve, Samsung could have its dream first-round one-two punch.

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