Where is the KIA Tigers’ 2023 season watching point?
KIA finished 5th last year and washed away the regret of 9th in 2021. However, the 5th place in the KIA, which returned ace Yang Hyeon-jong and recruited 15 billion hitter Na Seong-beom, left a little regret. KIA is aiming for a higher place this year by refining what it lacked last year little by little.
KIA has a big hole in the home as the main catcher Park Dong-won left for free agency, but he prepares for this season with the resources he has. Transfer student Joo Hyo-sang, who was recruited through a trade in November last year, Han Seung-taek, and Shin Beom-soo, who are “studded stones,” must compete to fill the vacancy. The strength of the center line is determined by how stable they are.
Joo Hyo-sang underwent elbow ligament joint surgery in September last year and is in the final stage of rehabilitation. Rehabilitation has been carried out to the extent that there are no problems with preparations for this year’s opening. Han Seung-taek, who received many opportunities such as participating in 105 games in 2019, will once again challenge to become a starting player. Jang Jeong-seok, general manager of the KIA, expressed his belief that “our team catchers are sufficiently qualified” and hoped to ease concerns about Park Dong-won’s absence.
Another position that requires friendly competition is the first baseman. KIA coach Kim Jong-guk is hoping for second-year infielder Kim Do-young to become the starting third baseman. Naturally, Ryu Ji-hyeok, who played third base the most last year, can move to first base. Hwang Dae-in, who was first baseman last year, and Byeon Woo-hyuk, who transferred from Hanwha, must also compete at first base. 토토
Recently, as left-handed batters have increased, the importance of first base defense has increased, but basically, first basemen must have long hitting power. So Hwang Dae-in, who showed a career high with 14 home runs and 91 RBIs last year, and Byeon Woo-hyuk, who gave away two military pitchers in November and brought them back, are the cards KIA is looking forward to. Kim Seok-hwan is also a candidate for first base, and Byun Woo-hyeok can also play as third base.
KIA still has question marks on several positions. Coach Kim may be drawing a rough sketch of the 2023 season to some extent through his post-season power plan, but he plans to induce competition by seeing the players in person at spring camp and draw up a specific season plan. As the number of positions to be filled by KIA, such as catcher, first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder, decreases, it can become a strong team with a sense of stability.