You can’t fall if you go up.”
The KIA Tigers had significant income from the other line in the 2022 season. It was a great leap forward for middle fielders who were not the leading hitters. Outfielder Lee Chang-jin, third baseman Ryu Ji-hyeok, and first baseman Hwang Dae-in are the main characters. Achieved the best record of his career and led the team’s batting line. This year, we are receiving orders for even more activity. However, it faced fierce competition.
Outfielder Lee Chang-jin did not reach the required number of at-bats, but completed 404 at-bats. He had a batting average of 3.1 with 7 homers, 44 RBIs and 56 runs, standing tall as the starting outfielder. He even won the MVP award for the month with a batting average of . 47 and 6 in July. It was the best hitting since his debut. His annual salary also increased by 100% to 140 million won.
The leap of third baseman Ryu Ji-hyeok was also remarkable. In the 10th year of his debut, he scored 2.7, 4.2 home runs, 48 RBIs and 55 runs while digesting the regular at-bats. It was a career high record. His contribution to the team was high, such as playing an active role as a lead-off position that was once vacant. As promised before the season, he realized full-time first team without injury. His annual salary also increased from 105 million won to 45 million won.
The young geopo Hwang Dae-in’s leap to the starting lineup deserved applause. For the first time in his 7 years since his debut, he played first base full-time. He had a batting average of just 2.5 6, but had 14 home runs and 91 RBI. He took advantage of the chances created by the center batting line. He’s not perfect yet, but he’s shown potential as a fixer. He even came out as the number 4 hitter at one point.
Park Chan-ho received the stake as the starting pitcher with a batting average of .272, 4 homers, 45 RBIs, 81 points and 42 stolen bases. At one time, he had the disgrace of being at the bottom of the batting average, but he has grown to the next level as a shortstop with unmistakable offensive power. His annual salary also skyrocketed from 120 million won to 200 million won. The immovable shortstop stood tall. 스포츠토토
Their performance this year is also attracting attention. Park Chan-ho is challenging as a perfect 30% shortstop, but he is being challenged by Kim Do-young. Kim Do-young is being discussed as a candidate for shortstop as well as third base. Lee Chang-jin is also expected to hit 30% in his first at-bat, but outfielder Choi Won-joon, who is serving in the military, is scheduled to return in June, adding to the sense of desperation.
Ryu Ji-hyeok is being challenged by Kim Do-yeong and Byun Woo-hyeok, so he has to fight for survival. Byun Woo-hyuk was recruited through a trade to develop into a corner infield. Hwang Dae-in, who is aiming for 20 home runs, is being challenged by Byun Woo-hyuk and Kim Seok-hwan. To keep his place, he has to keep his performance above last year. KIA can maintain last year’s offensive power only when the Yakjin group is healthy.
Coach Kim Jong-guk said, “Last year, there were many beasts who recorded career highs. Younger players will do better. We have to keep doing it in the future. If you are not careful, you will be pushed out of the starting lineup,” he said, ordering expectations and reawakening.