Clearly, there was a left-handed pitcher on the mound. However, the only switch-hitter among domestic players at the plate, NC Kim Joo-won, entered the left-hand batter's box.

A switch-hitter changes their batting position based on the type of opposing pitcher. Against right-handed pitchers, they bat left, and against left-handed pitchers, they bat right to gain a strategic advantage.

While some believe it's better to focus on just one batting position, if one has athletic ability and a sense of balance, it is the best choice to switch batting sides based on the opposing pitcher to compete and achieve results. However, because it is difficult, there are very few players who execute the switch-hitting in actual games.

As seen in the status of KBO league registered players in 2025, there are a total of 6 registered as switch-hitters. Among them, Yoo Seung-cheol (KIA), Cuevas (KT), and Song Young-jin (SSG) are pitchers. Among batters, there are Mel Rojas Jr. (KT), Victor Reyes (Lotte), and Kim Joo-won. Kim Joo-won is the only domestic batter who continues to be a switch-hitter.

Since his debut, Kim Joo-won has consistently maintained his status as a switch-hitter. He has looked up to major league switch-hitting shortstop Francisco Lindor (New York Mets) as a role model and has nurtured his dream of being a switch-hitting shortstop.

Since his debut, his performance has been relatively consistent against both right-handers and left-handers. He faced right-handed pitchers while batting left in 1,083 plate appearances, recording a batting average of .242 (221 hits in 941 at-bats), 26 home runs, 117 RBIs, and an OPS of .719 (slugging percentage of .382 + on-base percentage of .337). Against left-handed pitchers while batting right, he faced 477 plate appearances, recording a batting average of .242 (96 hits in 396 at-bats), 10 home runs, 47 RBIs, and an OPS of .721 (slugging percentage of .356 + on-base percentage of .365).

There is not much difference in performance between left and right batting sides. However, against submariners, he has struggled a bit, batting .218 (34 hits in 156 at-bats) in 183 plate appearances with 3 home runs, 24 RBIs, and an OPS of .630 (slugging percentage of .321 + on-base percentage of .309). Although he generally steps into the left-hand batter's box against submariners, he has also batted right due to the reason that "the ball is hard to see."

However, on the 14th against KIA in Changwon, Kim Joo-won attempted a new change. Starting as the leadoff shortstop, Kim faced the plate in the first inning and again in the third inning, both batting in the right-hand side but made outs. In the first at-bat, he grounded out to second base, and in the third, he made a fly out to right field.

However, in the fifth inning, during his third at-bat, with one out and no runners on base, he entered the left-hand batter's box instead of the right-hand batter's box. The left-handed pitcher Yang Hyun-jong was still on the mound. Although Yang did not show any major change in expression, he appeared somewhat puzzled.

Kim Joo-won faced Yang Hyun-jong and fouled off a 143 km/h fastball with a count of 1 ball and 1 strike, then created another foul with a 131 km/h slider on a count of 2 balls and 2 strikes. However, after a six-pitch battle, he swung and missed on a 131 km/h change-up that dropped inside.

After that, Kim Joo-won returned to being a standard switch-hitter. In the seventh inning, with two outs, he faced right-handed pitcher Sung Young-tak and entered the left-hand batter's box, from which he earned a walk. In the ninth inning, he faced submariner Yoon Joong-hyun and entered the left-hand batter's box, finishing off his at-bats for the day.

There was no choice but to be perplexed by Kim Joo-won's sudden choice. Having faced Yang Hyun-jong, he had a career record of 2 hits in 17 at-bats and a batting average of .118, which meant he could not escape his absolute disadvantage, making it quite striking to attempt a change sufficient to switch batting sides. It was also somewhat puzzling that he tried to change midway through the game rather than starting from his first at-bat.

Discussions inside and outside the club regarding Kim Joo-won's maintenance of his status as a switch-hitter have continuously occurred. Currently, the head coach, Lee Ho-jun, has previously wished for Kim Joo-won to focus on one batting side when he was a batting coach, and it remains the same now. Former NC coaches who have guided Kim Joo-won, including Lee Dong-wook and Kang In-gwon, have all preferred him to decide on one side rather than being a switch-hitter. Both the coaching staff on the field and the coaches from outside all agree that it is better for Kim Joo-won to concentrate on batting right.

Kim Joo-won's sense of challenge is strong, and he is not giving up on being a switch-hitter despite the recommendations from those around him. However, if unconventional reverse thinking continues, the significance of the switch-hitting challenge is bound to diminish.

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