Finally, is the potential of the first draft pick about to burst? Professional baseball player Byun Woo-hyuk of the KIA Tigers recorded multi-RBIs in two consecutive games.

KIA lost 2-8 against the LG Twins on the 4th at Jamsil Stadium. Starting pitcher Yang Hyun-jong struggled, going 5 innings with 7 hits allowed and 4 earned runs, while the batting lineup managed only 2 runs despite 10 hits and 5 walks.

Byun Woo-hyuk, who started at third base in the fifth spot, was responsible for both RBIs.

In the first inning, KIA's leadoff hitter Lee Woo-sung reached base with a hit, followed by Noh Seung-bum's walk with one out, putting two runners on base. Choi Hyung-woo's ground ball to first base resulted in two outs with runners at second and third. Byun Woo-hyuk did not miss the slider thrown by opposing starter Song Seung-ki, hitting a clutch single in front of the left fielder, bringing both runners home.

Byun Woo-hyuk walked to first base after calmly selecting four balls with two strikes in the third inning with one out and a runner at second. The following batters made consecutive flyouts, and KIA failed to score.

In the fifth inning, after starting with a flyout to center field with no outs and a runner at first, Byun Woo-hyuk made an out on a ground ball to third base with no outs in the seventh inning. In the ninth inning, he recorded a single to left field with two outs and a runner at first, finishing the day with 4 at-bats, 2 hits, 2 RBIs, and 1 walk.

Byun Woo-hyuk has been solely responsible for KIA’s RBIs in two consecutive games. He contributed with 3 at-bats, 2 hits, and 3 RBIs in the game against Samsung on the 3rd, helping KIA win 3-1.

Byun Woo-hyuk scored the first run after leadoff batter Lee Woo-sung reached with a double to left in the second inning and hit a clutch single to center. After two outs in the third, Noh Seung-bum, Wisdom, and Lee Woo-sung all walked to create a bases-loaded opportunity. Byun Woo-hyuk then followed with a clutch hit dropping in front of the left fielder to extend the score to 3-0.

Byun Woo-hyuk joined Hanwha as the first draft pick in 2019. However, he struggled to establish himself at Hanwha and was traded to KIA after the 2022 season. Last year, he participated in 69 games, batting .340 (51 hits in 168 at-bats) with 5 home runs and 21 RBIs, showing potential.

Byun Woo-hyuk was unable to make the opening day roster due to deep depth and started the season in the minor leagues. However, after MVP Kim Do-young fell with a hamstring injury during the opening game, and Park Chan-ho was placed on the injured list on March 26, he received a call-up opportunity.

On the first day of his call-up on March 26, he made his first start at third base against Kiwoom and recorded 2 hits, 1 RBI, and 1 run in 6 at-bats. He has been playing most at third base since Kim Do-young's absence. Yoon Do-hyun (1 game), Wisdom (1 game), and Hong Jong-pyo (2 games) also played at third base, but Byun Woo-hyuk has played the most with 6 games.

Meanwhile, Kim Do-young received a re-examination on the 3rd, and the condition of his hamstring injury showed significant improvement. He plans to undergo technical training for about a week, and if there are no issues with his physical condition, he plans to participate in the Futures League. He intends to elevate his sense of game in the minor leagues for about a week and then return to the first team.

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