It is true that the productivity of the KIA lineup has increased significantly since the joining of Na Seong-beom and Kim Do-young at the end of June. As the two were fixed in the 2nd and 3rd batting order, the connection between the lower batting line and the upper batting line, and the upper batting line and the cleanup trio became smoother and synergy was created. In addition, with the return of Kim Sun-bin and the joining of Kim Tae-gun, the bottom line has definitely become stronger. On the 25th and 26th, even the leadoff Choi Won-joon, who had been sluggish, had a good blow. Kim Do-young, who suffered a bruised ankle in the game on the 25th, also showed off his good health.
However, Lee Woo-seong is definitely not doing well in July, and Kim Sun-bin also seems to be unable to find a sense of hitting after getting rid of a thumb injury. Socrates Brito is generally good, but there are times when he leaves behind bases in decisive chances. Because of this, there are cases where the power of the center line is not maximized. In the end, it comes to the conclusion that Choi Hyeong-woo is needed. Choi Hyeong-woo is definitely not doing well in July. By the 25th, 9 hits in 38 at-bats, batting average of 0.237, 2 home runs, 5 RBIs, and 8 runs, the lowest pace since the start of the season. However, from the first at-bat in the game on the 26th, he pulled out a decisive three-run four against Song Myeong-ki, showing off his strength after a long time.
Moreover, Choi Hyung-woo pushed Song Myung-ki’s poorly controlled forkball to the left without pulling it forcefully. He still has innate strength and can jump over fences if he’s hit well. He calmly put pressure on his opponent, picking out a walk in the second inning as well. Choi Hyeong-woo, like an experienced veteran, has a manual for coping with situations. He knows how to contribute to the team when he’s not feeling well. He never takes a full swing by force. In the case of the game on the 25th, he even played left field defense for the first time in a long time, providing a place for his juniors to rest.
Director Kim Jong-guk said, “Hyung-woo is a diamond. The body is also strong. The same goes for skills. He is a player who sets a model for young players.” 스포츠토토 In fact, since 2008, when Choi Hyung-woo took off as a starting player in earnest, there have been only three seasons where he played less than 120 games a year (113 games in 2009, 113 games in 2014, and 104 games in 2021). He has appeared in 78 of the 79 games the team has played this season. He is poised to play in over 140 games. Of course, director Kim said, “Since the weather is getting hotter, Hyung-woo also needs to rest from time to time.” However, how many days will coach Kim give Hyung-Woo Choi a full break in the fierce battle for the top 5 in the second half? He is a veteran who does his part when he gets on the ground somehow, so stamina is important, but he is still a player who has a big role to play on the ground.
For Hyungwoo Choi, it is still the hardest for the team to lose. He said, “I can win if I do a little more, but it’s annoying when I lose. The most important thing is for the center line to hit steadily little by little.” The director says it is Geumgangbulgoe, but in fact, why is there no sick spot? Still, Choi Hyung-woo smiled and said, “There is no pain. Even if he is sick, if he can’t play, he should quit.”