Is it the position that makes the person? I thought of him as a backup player and a secondary option, but he has grown into a player fitting for the leadoff. Kim Dong-hyeok (25), an outfielder for the Lotte Giants, is establishing his place while setting a record for on-base percentage.

Lotte has transformed into a more dynamic team compared to before. Leading the charge is Hwang Seong-bin, who has emerged as a starting player since last year, along with Jang Du-seong, who has quietly worked hard from behind, and Kim Dong-hyeok, who was predominantly used as a pinch runner, is leading the Lotte athletics team.

If I were to prioritize, Hwang Seong-bin is the top priority. Hwang Seong-bin emerged as a .300 hitter last year and played a crucial role as a leadoff. His unique sense of play creates exceptional variables. The second priority is Jang Du-seong. While he isn’t as flashy as Hwang Seong-bin, he showcases solid fundamental play. His defensive skills are rated higher than Hwang Seong-bin's, making him the most outstanding defender among Lotte's outfielders. Third is Kim Dong-hyeok. He hasn’t had many opportunities compared to Hwang Seong-bin and Jang Du-seong, mainly stepping onto the field as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. He has good speed and a strong arm, along with excellent ball judgment; however, it has not been easy for a third-choice player to secure opportunities.

However, when Hwang Seong-bin was sidelined with a left hand metacarpal fracture in early May, Jang Du-seong stepped in to fill that position. Jang Du-seong also fell out due to an unexpected injury of a pleural hematoma in early June. With the top two players of the athletics team sidelined, it was a major crisis for Lotte. However, Kim Dong-hyeok slowly showcased his presence. He made highlight plays multiple times in defense, saving the team, and is gradually eliminating doubts in offense.

Manager Kim Tae-hyoung noted about Kim Dong-hyeok, "He has a good on-base percentage." His defense and base running have been acknowledged, and on the 29th, he showcased his on-base ability, leading the team to a 10-5 victory against KT. That day, Kim Dong-hyeok went 2-for-2 with 1 hit, 2 RBIs, 1 run, and 3 walks, achieving a game with 4 times on base.

Kim Dong-hyeok's ability to get on base influenced the momentum of the game effectively. He appeared as the leadoff in the first inning and earned a walk, but Reyes hit into a double play. In the third inning, he struck out with no outs and runners on first and second. However, in a two-out situation with runners on second and third, trailing 2-3, he came through with a two-run double to left center. Although there was a lot of pressure since the two previous batters could not solve the situation with no outs and runners on second and third, Kim Dong-hyeok's clutch hit turned the momentum of the game.

With a 5-3 lead, Kim Dong-hyeok demonstrated concentration in the sixth inning, drawing a walk with two outs. Following that, Go Seung-min hit a single to left, and Reyes contributed a timely hit. Kim Dong-hyeok played a crucial role in generating valuable additional runs with two outs. In the seventh inning, he also reached base with a walk in a one-out, runners on first and third situation, extending the bases for Go Seung-min's sacrifice fly.

Kim Dong-hyeok's batting average this season stands at .263 (57 at-bats, 15 hits). However, his on-base percentage is as high as .432. The 'on-base gap' (the difference between on-base percentage and batting average) is a remarkable .169. He has drawn 15 walks while striking out 16 times. The strikeout-to-walk ratio is nearly 1 to 1. Such an on-base percentage is among the best in the league. The player with the largest 'on-base gap' this year is Kwon Hee-dong of NC, with a batting average of .252 and an on-base percentage of .421. His 'on-base gap' matches Kim Dong-hyeok's at .169.

This illustrates how incredible Kim Dong-hyeok's on-base ability currently is. Of course, his current performance must continue consistently. He needs to show steady appearances to further establish himself and stay competitive in the athletics team.

Next week, Jang Du-seong will return to the first team, and when the second half begins, Hwang Seong-bin will also return to his position. They are all athletes in the athletics team, supporting each other, but it seems inevitable to avoid fierce competition for the starting spots. In this process, it has been confirmed that Kim Dong-hyeok can hold his own as a top-tier on-base percentage player.

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