It’s a small sample size, but the team is pleased. SSG Landers outfielder Ha Jae-hoon has been spinning the bat like crazy despite two injuries.
On the 21st, Ha batted sixth and started in left field in the ninth game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, South Korea, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, two stolen bases, and two runs scored in the team’s 6-4 victory.
Ha injured his finger during a head-first slide during an away game against the NC Dinos on 11 March. He was diagnosed with a fractured left thumb upon medical examination and was sidelined. After suffering a shoulder fracture in spring training this year, Ha was hit with another injury.
However, following his first injury, his recovery was quicker than expected. He made his return in time for the first game of the second half of the season and made a splash in the infield with his aggressive baserunning. If it weren’t for his performance, SSG would not have been able to secure the victory.
Injuries, both major and minor, have limited Ha to just 15 first-team appearances this season. However, his 41 hits in 15 at-bats with a batting average of 0.366, two home runs, seven RBIs and an OPS of 1.081 has been a great addition to SSG manager Kim Won-hyung’s game management.
On the 22nd, before the announcement of the rain cancellation of the LG Electronics Baseball League, Kim Won-hyung said, “I think my timing has improved. I went to Australia (Geelong Korea) at my own request after the end of last season, and I think I found my thing. In Okinawa, I was good until I got hurt, and I was good until I got hurt on my finger,” he recalled.
“I think I’ve got a bit of an idea of what I need to do at the plate,” he said, “and I’ve improved a lot in terms of how I handle 0-2. Last year I was striking out a lot after two strikes, but now I’m making contact somehow and I’m getting hits even if I miss because I have power. I think it’s because I’m timing my pitches well,” he added.먹튀검증
Is there any worry about Ha Jae-hoon’s unselfish play? Kim Won-hyung said, “Even the day before, he went out and stole a base, and these are processes that create decisive scoring opportunities for the team, but he doesn’t seem to care about it during the game. “Instead, when I’m defending, I’m a little worried when I slide too much or do something like that,” he said.
“I think he’s doing well now, but we’ll have to see, and no matter how good he is, if he gets injured repeatedly, that’s the hardest thing for a player,” he said, adding, “I hope he doesn’t get injured and can go all the way to the end of the season.”
Meanwhile, foreign hitter Guillermo Heredia, who was absent due to his US citizenship, will arrive at 5pm to rest. The next day, Kim Won-hyung said, the team will simply train with the players at Jamsil Baseball Stadium.