"Wisdom holds the key."
KIA Tigers manager Lee Beom-ho identified Patrick Wisdom as the player holding the fate of the second half of the 2025 Korean professional baseball season. With Na Sung-beom and Kim Sun-bin returning from injuries, the power of the batting lineup has strengthened, and Wisdom's hitting is said to have a significant impact on scoring ability. There are also forecasts that his contribution will increase even more when star hitter Kim Do-young returns in August.
Wisdom's first-half performance is excellent. His batting average is .266, but he hit 20 home runs. He recorded 51 RBIs, 52 runs scored, and a on-base percentage of .371, along with a slugging percentage of .577 and an OPS of .948. He ranks second in the league in home runs and OPS. His WAR (wins above replacement) is also 6th overall and 2nd on the team behind Choi Hyung-woo. The metrics indicate he is quite a decent foreign player.
He inevitably faces comparisons with Socrates Brito, who played for three years until last year. Socrates recorded a three-year average of .320 with 63 home runs, 270 RBIs, 266 runs scored, 40 stolen bases, and an OPS of .843. He contributed to the team’s championship by hitting his career highs and being a standout during the Korean Series in the 2024 season. While his efficiency on the basepaths may lag, his power and on-base percentage are high.
Manager Lee Beom-ho expressed a satisfactory evaluation considering various aspects. "If he hits 30 home runs and has 100 RBIs, that would be the best. His home run count has demonstrated his abilities sufficiently. If he hadn't had three weeks off, he would have had 60 RBIs. His slugging percentage and on-base percentage are also high. His WAR is high too. Overall, he is not bad in any aspect," he commented.
He also praised Wisdom's defense. Although he was the starting first baseman, he moved to third base after Kim Do-young's injury, making room for Oh Seon-woo to step up as the primary first baseman. "Without Wisdom, we wouldn't have been able to fill the third base position left by Kim Do-young. He handled difficult balls well in defense, contributing on both offense and defense," he applauded.
At the same time, he pointed out, "In the second half, Wisdom is the key player." He explained, "With Sun-bin and Sung-beom returning, we can enhance our offensive power. The offensive threat should be generated from the center. It would be best if Wisdom can come through in crucial situations and have Hyung-woo and Sung-beom follow him. Sung-beom has a strong will to contribute to our team, and Sun-bin has the skills. This could lead to a lot of runs being scored."
Finally, he remarked, "Nonetheless, I feel like his performance is ordinary compared to Socrates. With only Hyung-woo behind, opponents throw difficult pitches." Wisdom is currently hitting .247. "If he goes 3-for-3, that average will significantly rise. If Sun-bin and Sung-beom, along with Do-young, are all together, Wisdom will become an extremely dangerous hitter. With many waiting behind him, his home runs will increase, and his batting average will rise," he expressed his expectations.
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