Who will take the left fielder spot for the KIA Tigers?

KIA is expected to be fiercely competing for positions from spring camp. The same goes for left fielders. There are candidates such as Lee Chang-jin, Lee Woo-seong, and Kim Seok-hwan. If Choi Won-joon, who will return from military service, is added here, KIA’s internal competition is expected to intensify.

This year, KIA also draws foreign hitter Socrates Brito as the center fielder and Na Seong-beom as the right fielder. Left field is the only position that can compete in the outfield. In recent years, Choi Hyeong-woo has been the KIA left fielder. However, it is unreasonable for Choi Hyeong-woo to double as an outfield defender. Last season, Choi Hyung-woo’s defensive innings were only 133.

Lee Chang-jin was the most left fielder at KIA last year. He pitched 722⅔ innings. Lee Chang-jin, who graduated from Konkuk University, joined the Lotte Giants in the 2nd 6th round in 2014 with the 60th rank, and after going through kt wiz, joined the KIA in 2018. Overcoming his injuries and sluggishness, he took over as the starting pitcher for the 2022 season. He had 104 hits, 7 home runs, a batting average of 0.301, a slugging percentage of 0.402, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.776 in 111 games. 토토사이트

However, the main competition is not over. Lee Woo-sung and Kim Seok-hwan also challenge the left fielder position. Woosung Lee, a graduate of Daejeon High School, joined Doosan with the 15th pick in the second round of the 2013 draft. After that, he went through NC by trade and wore a KIA uniform. Lee Woo-sung competed for the starting position last season, but was pushed back by Lee Chang-jin. He only pitched 180 innings in left field. However, he played an active role as a pinch hitter and anti-defense agent, hinting at his potential for development. Lee Woo-sung recorded 35 hits, 1 home run, 0.292 batting average, 0.375 slugging percentage, and 0.736 OPS in 80 games last year.

Kim Seok-hwan also received a chance at the beginning of the season, but failed to secure a starting position. He had 14 hits, 3 home runs, a batting average of 0.149, a slugging percentage of 0.266, and an OPS of just 0.518 in 51 games. But Kim Seok-hwan honed his skills in Australia this winter. As a member of Geelong Korea, he recorded 10 hits in 34 at-bats, 4 home runs, 10 RBIs, a batting average of 0.294, an on-base percentage of 0.429, and a slugging percentage of 0.676 in 10 games, foreshadowing the 2023 season.

There are already three internal competitors. Here, Choi Won-jun, who will return from military service in Sangmu, is also waiting. Choi Won-joon is scheduled to be discharged in mid-June. As part of Sangmu, Choi Won-jun bombarded the Futures League with 124 hits, 6 homers, a batting average of 0.382, a slugging percentage of 0.511, and an OPS of 1.020 in 92 games. He continued to play as an outfielder in Sangmu. When he returns to KIA, he is expected to audition for left field.

KIA’s left fielder worries are not yesterday or today. Can we solve the task of finding the post Choi Hyeong-woo this year?