“I don’t need to say anything, he’s a living legend representing the KBO.”
KIA batting coach Choi Hyung-woo, 40, 메이저사이트 is definitely a force to be reckoned with. He hits game-changing singles, doubles, and home runs without fail. In fact, Choi’s power dropped off a bit in July and August, and his batting average dropped by a third, but he was always there when it mattered.
And recently, he has picked up his batting pace once again. On the 27th, he went 1-for-3 with a home run, two RBIs, and two runs scored as the No. 4 designated hitter for Gwangju Hanwha Jeonseo. One of the hits was the game-winner. With runners on first and second in the top of the sixth inning with the score tied 2-2, he hit a 153-kilometer fastball from Moon Dong-ju for a two-run double to left-center field.
Choi Hyung-woo/KIA Tigers
Importantly, it wasn’t a bad pitch. He was looking for a low, outside pitch, and that’s what he got. If you want to be effective against hard hitters, you’re going to have to take the outside one eventually. However, Choi flicked this one lightly and completely opened up left-center field. It was a combination of Choi’s signature technique and raw power.
Choi raised his batting average back up to .293 for the season. 15 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 56 runs scored. 20 homers and 8-90 RBIs is a solid pace. Over the past two years, he’s batted .233 with 12 homers and 55 RBIs and .264 with 14 homers and 71 RBIs, so with 40 games left in the season, he’s already surpassed last year’s numbers.
Choi Hyung-woo/KIA Tigers
As a team, it’s efficient to rotate your designated hitter among multiple players. In a 144-game schedule, it allows them to rest their mainstays and strategize depending on the opponent. KIA is stuck with a relatively rigid lineup with Choi Hyung-woo as the designated hitter. However, there’s not much they can do about it when Choi is hitting this well. His power more than makes up for this weakness.
Manager Kim Jong-kook said, “His durability is the best. He is a living legend who represents the KBO without saying anything. He hasn’t played well in recent years because of eye and back injuries. The last two years have been bad, but this year, without any major injuries, I played well from the beginning. I’m also more confident. I have a lot more confidence. It’s going so well, and he’s a good player, so I think it’s just going to keep going.”
His physical fitness is also not as problematic as he feared. Choi said, “I’m still in good shape. I’m still playing well. In fact, he struggles a lot when he comes in (to the dugout), but when he plays, he plays well. He’s not a big home run hitter, but he’s a good second base hitter. He’s a workhorse.”