Sports Focus: Bullpen Revival Powers Kia’s Climb Up the Standings

By Zhang Jiuzhou (Julius) ||

Just a month into the 2026 KBO season, concerns surrounding the Kia Tigers appeared all too familiar. The starting rotation was inconsistent, the bullpen struggled to protect leads, and memories of last season’s collapse remained fresh. Yet since early May, the Tigers have emerged as one of the league’s hottest teams, and the biggest reason behind their resurgence has been the dramatic turnaround of the relief corps.

The contrast between the rotation and bullpen has been striking. In May, Kia’s starters posted a 4.82 ERA, ranking seventh in the league. Ace foreign pitchers James Naile and Adam Oller both experienced periods of inconsistency, preventing the rotation from establishing dominance. The bullpen, however, carried the team through difficult stretches. Kia relievers combined for a league-best 2.75 ERA during the month, preserving narrow leads and helping the Tigers win a series of comeback victories and close contests.

That development represents a remarkable reversal from a year ago. During the 2025 season, Kia’s bullpen was one of the weakest units in the league, posting a 5.22 ERA that ranked ninth among ten clubs. The Tigers also suffered 21 blown saves, and their inability to close out games was widely viewed as one of the major reasons the defending champions fell from first place in 2024 to eighth place the following year.

The warning signs returned early this season. Closer Jung Hai-young struggled badly out of the gate, recording a 16.88 ERA through his first four appearances, while veteran reliever Jeon Sang-hyeon was sidelined by injury. Through the opening 11 games, Kia’s bullpen ERA ballooned to 7.34, creating fears that another disappointing season might be unfolding.

Instead, the turning point arrived on April 11 when second-year right-hander Sung Yeong-tak was entrusted with the closer role. From that point through June 7, Kia’s bullpen posted a league-leading 3.23 ERA. In just six weeks, a unit that had looked unstable became one of the most dependable relief groups in the KBO.

Sung has been at the center of that transformation. After appearing in 45 games as a rookie last season, he spent the offseason improving both his velocity and stamina. The role changed, but the results improved even further. Through June 9, Sung had compiled a 2–1 record with nine saves and three holds while posting a remarkable 1.32 ERA over 27⅓ innings. His emergence provided exactly the stability the Tigers desperately needed at the back end of games.

Jung Hai-young’s rebound has also played a significant role. After his demotion to the Futures League, the former closer returned with improved velocity and confidence. Manager Lee Bum-ho noted that Jung’s fastball increased by three to four kilometers per hour following a brief reset period. Since returning, Jung has looked far more comfortable in seventh- and eighth-inning situations, where the pressure is less concentrated than in the closer role.

Jung himself credited a subtle mechanical adjustment for his improvement. By lowering his target point during delivery, he regained command and consistency. The progress was evident on May 24 against the SSG Landers, when he successfully closed out a victory and became the youngest pitcher in KBO history to reach 150 career saves.

The bullpen’s depth has been equally important. Han Jae-seung, Choi Ji-min, and Lee Hyung-beom have provided reliable middle relief throughout the season. Han has significantly improved his control, nearly cutting his walk rate in half compared to last year. Choi has delivered far more consistent performances than he did in 2025, while Lee has bounced back from last season’s struggles to post a sparkling 1.50 ERA.

Perhaps the most encouraging development has been the resurgence of Cho Sang-woo. After an inconsistent 2025 campaign, Kia re-signed him to a two-year contract worth 1.5 billion won. The investment is already paying dividends. Through June 9, Cho owned a 1.69 ERA with eight holds across 30 appearances, excelling in the critical bridge innings before the closer enters the game.

The Tigers also addressed bullpen concerns aggressively during the offseason. Veteran left-hander Kim Beom-su was signed to a three-year deal worth 2 billion won, while Hong Geon-hui joined on a one-year contract valued at 700 million won. The club also selected Lee Tae-yang in the second round of the draft, and left-hander Kwak Do-gyu has recently returned after recovering from elbow surgery.

What makes Kia’s current bullpen even more impressive is that it may not yet be operating at full strength. Jeon Sang-hyeon, Lee Jun-young, Lee Tae-yang, and Hong Geon-hui are all working their way back and remain candidates to contribute later in the season. Their eventual returns could further strengthen a relief corps that has already become one of the club’s greatest assets.

After climbing into fourth place late last month, the Tigers have remained firmly in the middle of the playoff race. With a bullpen that has transformed from liability to strength, their ambitions are beginning to extend beyond merely staying competitive. If the current trend continues, Kia may soon shift its focus from chasing a postseason berth to challenging the league’s top contenders.

Cover Photo: Sung Yeong-tak delivering a pitch during a recent game. (Kia Tigers)