KIA Tigers' outfield is about to become very competitive soon. The starting lineup for the opening game this year featured right fielder Na Sung-bum, center fielder Choi Won-joon, and left fielder Lee Woo-sung. All three players underperformed. In particular, Na Sung-bum, who is sidelined due to injury, and Lee Woo-sung, who has been sent to the minor leagues due to poor performance, are expected to face competition from the outfielders who filled in well during their absence.

Na Sung-bum made his first appearance in the opening game in three years, bringing hope, but soon fell into a batting slump. After a little over a month, he has been sidelined for 57 days due to a calf muscle injury. Choi Won-joon garnered a lot of expectations as a potential free agent, but he fell into a long slump. He recorded a batting average in the .100s, making defensive errors that led to him being sent down to the minor leagues twice. Lee Woo-sung also failed to redeem his batting struggles that began in the second half of last year and is currently being reassessed in the minor leagues.

The main outfielders have left significant gaps due to injuries and underperformance. Emerging players have stepped up excellently to fill those gaps. A representative figure is Oh Seon-woo, who resembles a movie star. He was a power hitter in the minor leagues but had a long stint in obscurity. Seizing the opportunity this year, he has showcased powerful hits along with precise batting, quickly establishing himself as a main player. He has become a multi-position player, taking on roles not only in left and right field but also at first base.

Kim Ho-ryeong's turnaround was also impressive. Although he has the league's best defensive skills in center field, his hitting ability has hindered his chances of becoming a starter. Last year, he saw his contributions diminish as he was overshadowed by Park Jung-woo. This year, as mistakes keep occurring from the center field position, Manager Lee Beom-ho assigned Kim Ho-ryeong a role. He has solidified his place as a starter, not only providing defense but also frequently delivering key hits. The solid support from Kim Ho-ryeong's defense has backed up the pitchers' strong performances.

Lee Chang-jin has also returned from a hamstring injury and is leading the batting lineup as a left fielder and leadoff hitter. His batting average stands at .194, but he has been a getting-on-base machine with a .419 on-base percentage, creating opportunities and enhancing the lineup's cohesiveness. Choi Won-joon has also recovered his form, with a batting average of .474 (9 hits in 19 at-bats) in the last five games. He has showcased his strong arm as a right fielder, delivering impressive home throws, thereby enhancing his defensive contributions. The three outfielders are leading with solid defense and stable performance. Additionally, Kim Seok-hwan has returned and added power with home runs.

The interesting point comes after Na Sung-bum's return. Once he is back, changes to the existing outfield structure will be unavoidable. Since Na Sung-bum cannot be utilized as a designated hitter in place of the powerful Choi Hyung-woo, he will have to play in the outfield. Currently, Oh Seon-woo, who is playing at first base, will also need to return to the outfield. Additionally, Lee Woo-sung has wielded an impressive bat, hitting .448 in 8 games in the Futures League, putting his name on the call-up waiting list.

If Na Sung-bum and Lee Woo-sung return, the outfield will be in a state of saturation. There will be competition among seven players. Go Jong-wook and rookie Park Jae-hyun may not even have a chance to fit in. Na Sung-bum and Lee Woo-sung are still grappling with defensive and running issues due to lower body injuries. If they can offset these with strong batting, it may not pose a problem, but particularly the outfield defensive capability is crucial as mistakes could directly lead to runs, creating a challenge. Soon, sorting out the outfield lineup will emerge as a pressing task.

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