The bat of 'flower boy' Oh Sun-woo, who has been filling the injury gap for the KIA Tigers well, has gone cold.
Oh Sun-woo has recorded a batting average of .289 (46 hits in 159 at-bats), 6 home runs, 21 RBIs, and an OPS of .804 in 48 games this season. He has shown remarkable performance amidst the team's situation with injuries to players like Na Sung-bum, Kim Sun-bin, and Kim Do-young. However, as a college graduate player, he has now entered his seventh year. He is thirty years old.
Although he possessed the potential of a left-handed power outfielder, he has not fully realized that potential. There have been times of regret. However, this year, Oh Sun-woo did not miss the opportunity that arose in a situation where the team was filled with injured players. It seems to show that the time he has endured was not in vain.
However, Oh Sun-woo is getting the most at-bats this year. In 2020, he played in 59 games, but the share of his appearances and innings is incomparable. There is no doubt about the physical issues. Perhaps because of that, he has been silent with 1 hit in 13 at-bats in 4 games against Samsung and NC this week.
Manager Lee Beom-ho said, "In the beginning, his expression was very bright, but recently it has become dark, perhaps due to physical fatigue. His smile has disappeared." He added, "But Oh Sun-woo is a player who can hit a home run at any moment. I’m really grateful for what he has done so far."
He emphasized, "I knew he was a good hitter. However, since he is performing so well both offensively and defensively, I am grateful on one hand."
On that day, KIA lined up a starting lineup of Lee Chang-jin (left fielder), Park Chan-ho (shortstop), Choi Hyung-woo (designated hitter), Wisdom (third baseman), Oh Sun-woo (first baseman), Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Kim Tae-gun (catcher), and Kim Gyu-seong (second baseman). The starting pitcher is Yang Hyun-jong.
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