Will the Tigers’ big guns Kim Seok-hwan (23) and Byeon Woo-hyeok (22) get a chance?
It is a question that determines the present and future of KIA Tigers. Hyung-Woo Choi posted a batting average of .264, 14 home runs, and 71 RBIs in 132 games. It was better than the 2021 season, which exploded on its own, but it was not Choi Hyung-woo. However, it was positive that he rebounded with a batting average of 3.1 and 4. in the second half compared to the first half, which was sluggish with a batting average of 2.2 and 7.
Even so, KIA was thirsty. I felt that it would not be easy for a Korean giant to succeed Choi Hyeong-woo. Therefore, in this Arizona camp, fostering a post Choi Hyeong-woo, or geopo, is one of the tasks. Director Kim Jong-guk said, “Hyung-woo is turning 40 this year. I can’t help but think of what comes after Hyung-woo Choi.”
At the same time, director Kim mentioned three names: Hwang Dae-in, Kim Seok-hwan, and Byeon Woo-hyuk, and selected Choi Hyeong-woo as the post candidate. Hwang Dae-in was at least close. From the middle of the 2021 season, he played his first full-time as the first baseman. The 2022 season saw him batting 2.5 with 6 runs, 14 home runs and 91 RBI. He also played as the number 4 hitter. He wasn’t a hot-chance center hitter, but he deserved applause for his first full-time performance.
Left-handed hitter Kim Seok-hwan got a chance in April of last year amid praise as the second Lee Seung-yeop, but failed to save it. He went 1/4 with 9 runs, 3 home runs and an RBI. He hit enough to tear up the Futures League, but when he came up to the first team, he often kept his head down. This year, he faced the task of rebounding. He found a clue while playing in the Australian league as a member of Geelong Korea.
A significant third candidate has joined. This is Byun Woo-hyuk (22), who was recruited through a trade last year. Expectations are high as a reliable corner infielder (1st and 3rd base) right-handed shot. The power swing is excellent. He has a modest first-team career, but has the potential to step up as a central batsman if he is not injured. He is concentrating on hitting the right hit at the camp, saying, “A long hit is a long hit.”
There are absolute conditions for nurturing giants. You can grow only when you are guaranteed opportunities to participate. First of all, Hwang Dae-in is in an advantageous position. Of course, he competes, but his position as the first baseman is solid. He has accumulated enough skills and experience to aim for his first 20 homers and 100 RBIs this year. He has a task to strengthen his defense, but expectations are high that he will improve gradually. 먹튀검증
Byun Woo-hyuk and Kim Seok-hwan do not have positions yet. Byun Woo-hyuk is competing with Ryu Ji-hyuk and Kim Do-young for third base. You have to defeat two of them. Ryu Ji-hyeok is the starting pitcher, and Kim Do-young, a second-year player, is also showing signs of growth in hitting to the point of aiming for the starting pitcher. 1st base has to surpass Hwang Dae-in. Kim Seok-hwan said, Lee Chang-jin should win in the left field competition, and that position will disappear when Choi Won-joon returns in June. Moreover, the first baseman is not easy because Hwang Dae-in is holding on.
At this point, coach Kim Jong-guk and KIA have concerns. Hyung-Woo Choi has priority as the designated hitter. Coach Kim also said, “First of all, we give Choi Hyeong-woo a chance to become a designated hitter. Depending on Choi Hyeong-woo, the future plan will change.” In the end, only when there is a vacancy for Choi Hyung-woo can he flexibly utilize the three batters as first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. Until then, the two giants have a difficult task of surviving from the fierce first-team competition.