Will he return as a league slugger?
KIA Tigers outfielder Na Seong-beom (36) hit a home run that signifies hope. On the 9th, he started the game against the NC Dinos in the 2025 Professional Baseball Futures League at Changwon NC Park, delivering an impressive performance with 3 plate appearances, 2 at-bats, 2 hits, 1 home run, 1 walk, 2 RBIs, and 1 run scored, hinting at an active role upon his return in the second half.
He resumed playing in the Futures league after finishing rehabilitation the previous day. Starting as the number 1 right fielder, he went up to bat three times but only drew 1 walk, tallying 0 hits in 2 at-bats. However, this day, he entered the game as the number 3 right fielder and hit a single from his first at-bat. In the first inning, with no outs and runners on first and second, he scored the first run with a timely hit to right center field.
Then, in the third inning, after one out, he hit a 115-meter home run over the left-center field fence during his second at-bat. It was an arch that he hit not by pulling but by pushing. He noted that he is steadily raising his batting condition. In the fifth inning, during his third at-bat, he drew a walk, achieving a 100% on-base rate. The KIA Futures team concluded the first half with this game.
He wrapped up with 2 games in the Futures league. Na Seong-beom will join the first team alongside Kim Seon-bin for training in the second half. Since he only played 2 games in the Futures league, he will sharpen his skills through live games in preparation for the second half. Manager Lee Beom-ho said, "It seems fine to conduct a few more live games. I've seen all the video of his swings, and he handled it well without any issues."
Na Seong-beom had a solid full-time performance in his first season after signing as a free agent in 2022. However, he failed to play full-time due to injuries in the subsequent three years. He returned to the first team at the end of June in the 2023 season after suffering a calf fascia injury during the World Baseball Classic. Leading up to the 2024 season, he sustained a right hamstring injury during exhibition games and made his first team appearance on April 28.
An interesting point is that he contributed with explosive hitting upon returning from injury. The sense of guilt for not being able to contribute to the team was reflected in his batting. The 2023 season showcased his destructive power right from his return. Although he faced another injury late in the second half, he participated in 58 games, achieving a batting average of .365 with 18 home runs and 57 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.098. His slugging percentage was .671, and on-base percentage was .427.
Although the 2024 season started a month late, he had a commendable performance, posting a batting average of .291 with 21 home runs and 80 RBIs. He also delivered 9 game-winning hits, contributing to the regular season championship and the Korean Series title. KIA was able to clinch the championship trophy, backed by the league-dominating Kim Do-young, the cleanup hitter Choi Hyung-woo with over 100 RBIs, and Na Seong-beom.
This year, there were high expectations for the season opener following careful management and preparation without injuries. However, he fell into a severe slump as his hitting performance deteriorated, offering little help to the lineup. In 26 games, he had a batting average of .226 with 4 home runs and 16 RBIs, an OPS of .754, and a batting average of .194 with runners in scoring position. He suffered another long-term injury due to damage to his right calf muscle.
KIA needs power hitting. They have managed with the strength of Patrick Wisdom and Choi Hyung-woo. If Na Seong-beom adds his unique slugging power upon his return, the lineup’s destructive capability could increase significantly. This could be crucial in targeting the top tier in the second half. Kim Do-young is expected to return around mid-August. Therefore, Na Seong-beom's power hitting is increasingly essential. The home run that showcased that possibility is boosting hope.
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