Doosan Bears' perennial hopeful Kim Dae-han was informed of his demotion to the second team, failing to seize his opportunity even under acting manager Cho Sung-hwan.
Doosan Bears acting manager Cho Sung-hwan announced Kim Dae-han's removal from the first team prior to the home game against Kiwoom Heroes, scheduled to be held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 14th. With the promotion of outfielder Jo Su-hyung, who has finished his reconditioning in the second team, one outfielder had to be demoted, and after two weeks of opportunities given since his first team call-up, Kim Dae-han became the scapegoat.
On-site, acting manager Cho Sung-hwan noted, "I haven't met Kim Dae-han directly, but I conveyed the message through the coaches. Of course, there must have been pressure, as he had to deliver results within a short opportunity. However, this would be the same next time he comes up, and it would be difficult to keep giving opportunities in a situation where results are not being produced. This is an issue that we must review once regarding competition."
Kim Dae-han, who was dubbed Korea's Shohei Ohtani during his time at Whimoon High School, was selected first overall by Doosan in 2019. He has begun preparing for the 2025 season faster than anyone to make up for the last six years marred by struggles and injuries. He participated in the Phoenix Instructional League in October last year and the Ichon finishing camp in November to check the challenges for the 2025 season, and sought SOS from former Major League Baseball player Kang Jeong-ho along with senior player Kim Jae-hwan, spending a significant amount of personal funds to attend the 'King Kang School' in Los Angeles. He successfully gained 7 kg and achieved 'bulking up,' which has been a challenge since his debut.
Kim Dae-han headed to the Sydney spring camp ahead of the main team, starting training a week earlier. He volunteered for the advance team to learn the new batting form he acquired from Kang Jeong-ho in the United States more quickly, and he expressed his prospects for the outfield competition with a changed batting approach and mindset.
However, after successfully completing the Australian camp, Kim Dae-han was informed of his transfer to the second team Miyakojima camp instead of the second camp in Miyazaki, Japan. And, to make matters worse, he suffered an unexpected injury to his intercostal muscles, resulting in missing entry into the opening roster, leading to a rehabilitation period until mid-May.
On the 30th of last month, Kim Dae-han finally answered the call of former manager Lee Seung-yup, achieving 3 hits in 6 at-bats during the three-game series against Kiwoom at Gocheok. On June 3, acting manager Cho Sung-hwan, who took the helm, also granted Kim Dae-han an opportunity with a request to "just swing as you usually do," but during the month of June, he struggled with 4 hits in 22 at-bats, resulting in a batting average of .182. He had not recorded a hit since hitting a home run in the match against Lotte Giants on the 6th.
Acting manager Cho Sung-hwan emphasized, "I hope opportunities are created by themselves. If they make us feel that they no longer belong in Futures, then the only place for that player is the first team. The team is in a situation where we need a right-handed outfielder in the long term. Kim Dae-han has to go with us in some way, and he is a player we absolutely need. That’s why I asked him to step up."
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