"It won't be possible to hit hard from the beginning."
Kia Tigers' Kim Do-young has returned to the first team. Manager Lee Beom-ho called up Kim Do-young, Han Joon-soo, and right-handed pitcher Kim Min-jae ahead of the 2025 professional baseball game against the LG Twins on the 25th at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field. In exchange, catcher Han Seung-taek, infielder Hong Jong-pyo, and pitcher Lee Hyung-beom were sent down to the second team.
Kim Do-young participated in both batting and defensive training before the game. He is not listed in the starting lineup and will be waiting as a pinch hitter.
Manager Lee Beom-ho said, "He will be waiting as a pinch hitter. If a chance arises, I will use him right away. I will be cautious for the first three games while observing. I have been monitoring his swing continually. It won't be possible to hit hard from the beginning. The first 20 at-bats will be an adjustment phase. After playing 3 to 4 games, he will find his pace."
Regarding Kim Do-young's batting order, he noted, "He will hit in either the second or third spot. If a player in the second spot is in good condition, he will take the third spot, which would be ideal if the core lineup moves back one slot. He has power and on-base skills. It should be fine for him to create chances in the second spot."
Han Joon-soo was removed from the first team roster on the 12th due to poor hitting. His batting average was only .138. He drew attention by hitting back-to-back home runs in the opening series but fell into a severe slump.
He went down to the second team and participated in Futures games. In 8 games, he posted a terrifying batting record of .464, with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.269. Needing batting reinforcement, he successfully returned to the first team after 13 days.
Kim Min-jae, who was selected in the 8th round of the 2024 rookie draft, will make his first appearance in the first team this year. He pitched in 4 games in the first team last year. This year, he recorded 1 win and 1 loss in 6 Futures League games, with an earned run average of 7.07. He is expected to be used as a chasing pitcher.
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