2 consecutive matches held in Daegu. The KIA Tigers, who had lost 5 consecutive losses, jumped to 6th place with the revival of the batting line, and the home team Samsung Lions lost 4 consecutive losses.
It was a schedule that found similar hopes in the midst of mixed joys and sorrows. Who will you use as the top hitter? This is a happy worry that both teams have in common.
Although the two teams안전놀이터 were hit hard by injury, there was an income to find a clear candidate to set the table in the top batting order.
Samsung: Ji-Chan Kim, Hyeon-Jun Kim, an injured soldier, ‘prepared to return’
Kim Ji-chan (22) is currently one of the hottest hitters in Samsung. Head coach Park Jin-man announced plans to use Kim Hyeon-joon (21) as a top hitter ahead of this season, but he felt pain during the demonstration game and underwent surgery to remove the scapular bone in his right wrist after a checkup.
The position was filled by Kim Ji-chan. He had a season batting average of 0.299, with a 0.316 batting average. He set the table well with a batting average of 0.389 in the first inning. He also has an excellent on-base percentage of 0.393. This is the reason why Samsung can play a big role in a tie for 5th place in scoring even though the other line is not strong enough.
Samsung Kim Ji-chan. /Photo = Samsung Lions
Kim Hyun-jun, who is about to return. /Photo = Samsung Lions
Kim Hyun-joon ignites the competition for top hitters. Last year, Kim Hyun-jun’s batting average as the first batter reached 0.297. After undergoing surgery, he recently checked his sense of play in the Futures (2nd team) league. In 2 games, he scored 2 hits in 4 at-bats, 2 walks and 3 points, making coach Jin-Man Park laugh.
Coach Park, who we met at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 18th, said, “I’m going to register Hyun-jun tomorrow (19th).” When my condition improves, I plan to change to a higher batting line.”
Who will be the top hitter in the long run? Coach Park said, “Kim Hyun-joon picks the ball and has some ability to get on base, and Kim Ji-chan has the ability to run.”
However, there is a possibility of using Kim Hyun-jun more widely amid the general stagnation of the other line. “Right now, our lower batting line has a bit of weakness,” he said. “Kim Hyun-jun is a player who can hit a chance in the 6th and 7th batting order. I think we need to watch that situation.”
KIA: But Ryu Ji-hyeok? ‘Hot Guy in May’ Park Chan-ho?
KIA’s number one hitter is Ryu Ji-hyeok (29). He is on his way to a career high with a batting average of 0.337 for the season, and with a batting average of 0.325 in No. 1, there is nothing better. He has an on-base percentage of 0.414.
KIA coach Kim Jong-guk previously picked Ryu Ji-hyeok as the hitter with the best condition along with Choi Hyung-woo and Ko Jong-wook. On the 16th, Ryu Ji-hyeok was knocked out after being hit in the shin by a ball he hit and was replaced from the second inning. In the game on the 17th, Park Chan-ho (28) took the first pitch and completely filled Ryu Ji-hyuk’s vacancy with 3 hits and 2 points in 5 at-bats.
Park Chan-ho is the hottest hitter in May. His season batting average is 0.278, but his batting average soared to 0.472 in May. There is a difference from Ryu Ji-hyeok. Snow baseball is not a strong point. His on-base percentage is 0.333, and his walks are 9, which is half of his strikeouts (18). However, quick feet are a strength that cannot be ignored. While he stole 9 bases, he failed none. Tied for 3rd in steals. He is number one on the team.
KIA Ryu Ji-hyeok. /Photo = KIA Tigers
Last year, it was Park Chan-ho who kept the KIA’s No. 1 hitter more. He had a batting average of 0.285 in No. 1. However, Ryu Ji-hyeok showed better contact ability with 0.308 and has been gaining manager Kim’s trust from the beginning of this season.
On the 18th, coach Kim said, “Jihyuk is doing well now. Yesterday, Jihyeok was on standby for the second half, so Chanho was the starter.” said.
What is clear is that these two will build a table setter. Manager Kim said that he planned to use the two Samsung match as table setters on the 18th, which was canceled due to rain.
Hyeong-Woo Choi and Jong-Wook Koh are showing great performances, and Dae-In Hwang and Socrates Brito also showed signs of rebounding in the two games against Samsung. The time is coming when the power of KIA’s table setters will be fully demonstrated.