The mind has improved significantly.
Professional baseball KIA Tigers infielder Byeon Woo-hyeok (25) is experiencing a new turning point in his career this year. Last year's MVP, Kim Do-young, was ruled out due to a left hamstring muscle injury in the opening game, creating a vacancy. He was excluded from the opening roster and was overshadowed by a promising player named Yoon Do-hyun, but currently filling the gap left by Kim Do-young is Byeon Woo-hyeok.
Byeon Woo-hyeok swung a fierce bat with 2 hits and 3 RBIs in 5 at-bats during the game against Lotte on the 8th, leading the team to a 5-4 comeback victory. All of his hits led to go-ahead RBIs, showcasing his high-level performance. With 11 RBIs, he is currently tied for first place in the team with Na Sung-beom. Byeon Woo-hyeok joined the team as a first-round pick by Hanwha Eagles in 2019 and donned the KIA uniform in exchange for pitchers Han Seung-hyuk and Jang Ji-su in 2022. Now in his fourth season with KIA, he is establishing his presence by unleashing his potential. Although he is indeed a promising power hitter, he had left something to be desired in terms of accuracy and run production. Manager Lee Bum-ho, who has consistently monitored Byeon Woo-hyeok since his coaching days, has hoped for him to develop into a clutch performer. Lee Bum-ho said, "In the past, there were many swings dependent on home runs. A player must be able to produce RBIs during opportunities to have much better hitting, even if home runs don’t happen," and added, "Experiencing hitting during opportunities can make baseball more enjoyable. It can be seen that he is trying to concentrate more during opportunities now."
Kim Do-young also commented on Byeon Woo-hyeok, saying, "It seems like he has realized something." Manager Lee Bum-ho also noted, "I think Do-young probably told Woo-hyeok about reducing dependence on hitting far and prioritizing accuracy. It's hits that lead to home runs, not the other way around," and emphasized, "He realized that home runs are not everything. His mind has improved significantly. I think he may grow even more."
He is a player who can play both first and third base, but there have been questions about his defensive skills at third base. However, manager Lee Bum-ho, a representative former third baseman in the league, praised him, saying, "He plays well defensively. He is smooth and has good handling for his size. He seems to be a player who doesn’t get too nervous."
Kim Do-young will begin competition in the Futures League starting next week. Once Kim Do-young returns, managing first baseman Wisdom will be necessary. It would be a waste to keep Byeon Woo-hyeok, who is currently in good form, on the bench. Manager Lee Bum-ho explained, "I will think about it once Do-young returns," but also acknowledged, "Since Do-young may not be able to play full games initially, that is something to consider. Wisdom has also been playing full games for over 10 games recently, so he will likely be fatigued. Therefore, I think we might need to rotate them."
Having Kim Do-young return quickly would be the best scenario for the team's strength. However, due to Byeon Woo-hyeok following the 'growth path' of Kim Do-young from last year, manager Lee Bum-ho has begun to face a happy dilemma.
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