KBO League player Yasiel Puig (35) of the Kiwoom Heroes has struggled to regain his batting form since returning from injury.
On the 6th, Puig started as the number 4 left fielder in a game against the KIA Tigers at the Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, recording 1 hit and 1 RBI in 4 at-bats.
After hitting a ground ball to the second baseman with one out and runners on second and third, the runner at third scored, resulting in an equalizing RBI. In the third inning, with Kiwoom trailing 2-3 and one out, he was retired on a pop fly to the third baseman.
In the fifth inning, leadoff hitter Lee Yong-kyu hit a double, and although Song Seong-moon and Choi Joo-hwan struck out, Ruben Cardenas hit a timely hit that brought in 1 run, tying the game again at 3-3. With two outs and a runner on first, Puig came up to bat for his third at-bat and aimed for the first pitch, but was caught with a pop fly to the center fielder.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, with two outs and Kiwoom trailing 3-5, Puig stepped up to the plate against Jo Sang-woo and managed to get a hit. Following that, Kim Tae-jin also hit, but Oh Jun-seo was caught on a ground ball to the first baseman, and thus no runs were scored. Kiwoom ultimately lost 3-5, marking their fourth consecutive defeat.
Puig, who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball, joined Kiwoom in 2022, playing in 126 games with a batting average of .277 (131 hits in 473 at-bats), 21 home runs, 73 RBIs, 65 runs scored, 6 stolen bases, and an OPS of .841, helping the team secure the runner-up position in the Korean Series. After briefly leaving the team, he returned this season with high expectations.
However, Puig has not yet performed up to expectations. Over 30 games, he has a batting average of .212 (25 hits in 118 at-bats), 4 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 14 runs, which falls significantly short of his potential. On the 23rd of last month against Doosan, Puig had 2 hits in 3 at-bats along with 1 walk, but sustained a left supraspinatus (shoulder) injury while returning to first base after being picked off, leading to his removal from the first team roster.
Fortunately, he avoided a major injury and returned to the first team on the 4th. Since his return, Puig has recorded a batting average of .167 (2 hits in 12 at-bats) and 2 RBIs over 3 games. He has shown the ability to bring in runs at crucial moments, but overall, his hitting quality and results have been subpar.
Manager Hong Won-ki noted in an interview before the game on the 5th, “Even before the injury, he wasn't getting enough in-play balls during hitting counts. He did manage to drive in important runs in his return game, but overall, it seems his physical condition is still not perfect. I think he might need a little more time.”
Puig is one of the key players in Kiwoom's season plans. Kiwoom decided to rely on only one foreign pitcher, Kenny Rosenberg, and brought in Puig and Ruben Cardenas. They aimed to maximize their offensive capabilities by using two foreign hitters.
Cardenas has fulfilled his role well, recording a batting average of .277 (31 hits in 112 at-bats), 4 home runs, 23 RBIs, 16 runs, 1 stolen base, and an OPS of .828 over 32 games. However, Puig has yet to meet expectations.
Kiwoom, currently on a four-game losing streak, remains at the bottom of the league with a record of 12 wins and 27 losses for a winning percentage of .308. With the pitching staff struggling significantly, they have no choice but to depend on their offense. This is why Puig's resurgence is essential. It remains to be seen whether Puig can return to his previous form and help Kiwoom rebound this season.
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