Daegu: Within a span of one year, rookie pitcher Bae Chan-seung has gone from cheering for the Samsung Lions to pitching for the same club during the postseason. Bae, born and raised in the Lions' home city of Daegu, was selected third overall by his hometown Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club last fall. He enjoyed a solid rookie campaign, posting a 3.91 ERA over 65 appearances, with a 2-3 record and 19 holds. That earned him a spot on the Lions' postseason roster, starting in the wild card round last week, and the 19-year-old lefty has thrived in his two outings so far, to the tune of 1 2/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts combined.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Bae expressed his excitement about the opportunity. "After I got drafted last year, I said in an interview that I would love to pitch in a postseason game in 2025, and here I am now," Bae said Monday before Game 3 of the first-round series against the SSG Landers at Daegu Samsung Lions Park. "This has been an amazing experience."

Bae has been blowing by hitters with his signature fastball, touching 154 kilometers per hour. He admitted to feeling more nervous before postseason games than regular-season games but emphasized his desire to compete on such a stage. "Honestly, I am getting more nervous before postseason games than regular-season games," he said. "But I've always wanted to be on this stage. I don't want to have any regrets at the end."

Reflecting on last year's experience as a spectator, Bae noted the difference this year. "I am all fired up," he said. "When I heard loud cheers after getting a strikeout, it really hit me that I was indeed pitching in an important game. The fans have been great."