Kia 1B Rivalry, Will It Change Next Year?
The Kia Tigers are in Okinawa, Japan, for their final camp.
With a camp theme focused on competition, we can’t help but look at the infield roster. Byun Woo-hyuk (23), Oh Sun-woo (27), and rookie Kim Doo-hyun (20) are the main characters.
They all have one thing in common: they can cover first base. Byun Woo-hyuk, who joined the Hanwha Eagles with the first pick in the 2019 KBO Rookie Draft, can play both first and third base. Oh Sun-woo has served as a rotation resource at first base since the implementation of the expanded roster later this season. 카지노사이트 Kim Doo-hyun was considered a player who could cover all positions in the infield before joining the organization, so he can also play first base.
In the meantime, the competition for KIA’s starting first baseman has been focused on Hwang Dae-in (27). Hwang enjoyed a career-high season last year in a full-time role with the first team, but he hasn’t rebounded this season, and the competition behind him hasn’t been able to establish themselves. Outfielder Choi Won-jun (27), who returned from military service at short notice, was used as a temporary first baseman.
Through this final camp, the race for the KIA first base job seems to be leaning toward Byun Woo-hyuk and Oh Sun-woo.
Byun is a next-generation right-handed bat with a one-hit wonder
This season, he had an impressive June with a 3.32 RBI in the month of June. While he still has a lot of work to do in the field, his defense is showing signs of improvement. Oh, who switched positions from outfield to infield this season, has proven himself to be an excellent long ball hitter in the first team since the expansion roster was implemented. It’s hard to expect him to play sophisticated defense in his first season as an infielder, but it’s worth noting that he has the potential to improve.
Rookie Kim Doo-hyun is another talent that could pose a threat. He has a great batting talent, with a batting average in the low 30s during his two years with Dongwon University. He may not have the size of Byun Woo-hyuk or Oh Sun-woo, but he’s just as fast and has a lot of upside given his young age.
KIA’s first base situation is a concern. They’ve been looking for a starting first baseman for years, but no one has been able to step up to the plate, so there’s been a steady stream of calls for reinforcements at the position, including free agent signings.
Regardless of the direction, if the players who joined the finalization camp don’t show promise, the KIA first base will be in jeopardy next year. However, if the three players show a new look in the infinite competition, the worries may be erased more easily than expected. That’s why KIA’s Okinawa camp will be one to watch.