The KIA Tigers are waiting for June when the injured will return one after another. However, at this time, KIA also has to think about new things.
Na Seong-beom, one of KIA’s key players, has not played a single game this season due to microscopic damage to his calf muscle. With the departure of Na Seong-beom, who played the role of a fixer after signing a six-year, 15 billion won contract with KIA last year, the KIA outfield had to struggle. In early April, Socrates, a foreign hitter, also had to play with a stagnant batting line as the pace did not improve.
The pace of the current KIA line has revived. Socrates also came back to life by displaying the temperament of a slow starter, and pinch hitter Ko Jong-wook also took a spot by wielding a hard hit. Right-handed outfielders such as Lee Woo-seong and Lee Chang-jin also occasionally hit a shot, and defense specialist Kim Ho-ryeong is also lined up. First of all, the KIA lineup is filling the void of Na Seong-beom with the 10 o’clock general.
Still, it would be great if a reliable solver would return. Na Seong-beom went to Japan from the 17th to the 22nd of last month and returned after receiving intensive treatment. He is currently doing rehabilitation exercises with aqua aqua exercises in the Hampyeong Rehabilitation District. He will be re-examined on the 9th, and if the OK sign is dropped, he will begin full-scale technical training.
Director Kim Jong-guk explained, “We will have a reexamination on the 9th. If 100% recovery is achieved after the MRI examination, it is likely that there will be technical training afterwards.” His return is expected in early June.
And by the time Na Seong-beom returns, another key resource in the business is discharged. Outfielder Choi Won-joon will be discharged from Sangmu on the 11th of next month. Choi Won-joon bombed Sangmu and Futures League last year. In Sangmu last year, he recorded a batting average of 3.8, 2.1, 124 hits, 6 homers, 73 RBIs and an OPS of 1.020 in 92 games. He was about to become the Southern League batting champion. He continued the pace right before enlisting as a managing director.
However, he has not yet picked up his pace this year due to the aftermath of a shoulder injury. Currently, Choi Won-joon has a batting average of .203 in 12 games (10 hits in 47 at-bats), 5 RBI, 8 runs, 4 steals, and an OPS of .638. 메이저놀이터
Manager Kim Jong-guk said, “I think (Choi) Won-joon and (B) Seong-beom will return almost the same. This year, Won-joon had a shoulder injury, so he said he felt uncomfortable hitting. So now it’s 90%. I think I should continue to play for Futures for a month and improve my sense of the game.”
If it endures in May, KIA’s power can now be perfect.