The construction of a complete lineup is imminent.
Professional baseball Samsung Lions infielder Kim Young-woong, who was removed from the first team roster due to a callus pain, showcased his sharp hitting skills by achieving multi-hits in the Futures League.
After completing a career-high season last year with a batting average of .252 (456 at-bats, 115 hits), 28 home runs, 79 RBIs, 65 runs, and 9 stolen bases, Kim Young-woong has played in 31 games this season, recording 112 at-bats, 30 hits, a batting average of .268, 5 home runs, 21 RBIs, and 13 runs.
Kim Young-woong was removed from the first team roster due to callus pain before the match against Incheon SSG Landers on the 1st. At that time, manager Park Jin-man noted, “It’s not a serious injury, and a return in ten days is possible.”
In a Futures League home game against Doosan Bears held on the 10th at Gyeongsan Volpark, Kim Young-woong, who started as the second baseman, recorded 2 hits out of 4 at-bats, hitting safely in the 1st and 5th innings. He also handled third base defense without any issues.
Kim Young-woong is expected to return to the first team following the home game against LG Twins on the 11th after tuning his practical senses. He has showcased an outstanding performance at home this season, with a batting average of .310 (71 at-bats, 22 hits) along with 5 home runs and 18 RBIs, while managing only a .195 batting average (41 at-bats, 8 hits), 3 RBIs, and 1 run in away games.
Meanwhile, outfielder Kim Ji-chan, who has been sidelined due to hamstring pain, is scheduled for a detailed examination on the 12th. If no special abnormalities are found, he plans to resume Futures League activities from the 13th to sharpen his competitive edge.
If Kim Ji-chan, who is currently recording a batting average of .354 (65 at-bats, 23 hits), 6 RBIs, 18 runs, 7 stolen bases, and an OPS of .863 this season, returns in good health, he is expected to significantly boost the team's performance.
Samsung is currently trapped in a five-game losing streak. If Kim Young-woong and Kim Ji-chan recover to full condition and return to the first team stage, it would indeed be welcome news similar to much-needed rain after a drought.
Manager Park Jin-man observed, “If the injured players recover their health, everyone has the capability, so a rebound is definitely possible.”
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