"I didn't even imagine it. I didn't expect you to be this good..."The preliminary FA + military-pil shortstop commander, who has changed drastically, has more worries

Jul 24, 2024

The game between KT and Kiwoom at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 17th, and KT Shim Woo-joon hitting an RBI timely hit with one out and second base in the top of the sixth inning. Gocheok = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2024.07.17/

The game between KT and Kiwoom at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 17th, and KT shortstop Shim Woo-joon at first base with no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning are delighted after treating Kiwoom Lee Hyung-jong's ball as a double play. Gocheok = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2024.07.17/

Shim Woo-joon, who scored a timely RBI hit by KT and Kiwoom at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 17th, is welcomed by head coach Lee Kang-chul. Gocheok = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2024.07.17/

Did the Armed Forces Sports Unit (Sangju) become a turning point for the strike.

KT Wiz's Shim Woo-joon makes manager Lee Kang-chul laugh every day.

Shim Woo-joon is director Lee Kang-chul's lover. The stable and wide range of defense is the greatest value as the main shortstop.

On the other hand, he was not a player backed by batting. Even since 2018, when he has firmly established himself as the main player, his career batting average is only 255, and his on-base percentage is only 310. It's not a hit, but there was always a regret in the trailblazing plan. However, since he is not a player with a single long shot, the on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) was below 0.7.

However, is it because of the characteristics of the managing director that 'The only thing to do is weight training?' Shim Woo-joon has changed. Although there are not many games yet, he has a batting average of 375 (6 hits in 16 at-bats) in five games since being discharged from the military on the 16th. Two RBIs and two steals are a bonus.

Coach Lee Kang-chul, who met at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 23rd, said, `I think I've changed my mind a lot in the military. Baseball has increased. We've come a long way."

KT-Kium match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 18th. Shim Woo-joon is hitting. Gocheok = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2024.7.18/

"He's a player who used to just play the first two pitches. But every time I go to bat, I know what to do. I never imagined a surprise bunt against Kiwoom. Regardless of whether you're good or bad, I love how you've changed."

He also consistently played as the main shortstop in Sangmu. As soon as he returned, he led KT's winning streak. KT is now in the race against SSG-NC in the semifinals.

The situation that head coach Lee Kang-chul pointed out is the match against Kiwoom in Gocheok on the 18th, when the game, which was trailing 0-8, was overturned 12-8. Bae Jung-dae's dramatic grand slam went to extra time, and Shim Woo-joon, who was the leadoff hitter in the top of the 10th inning, got on base with a surprise bunt and added an opponent's error to take the second base. Moon Sang-chul's final home run was added with a follow-up hit, creating a 12-8 reversal.

He also thanked veteran Kim Sang-soo. Kim Sang-soo was in charge of shortstop again after moving to KT after watching the second baseman when he was in Samsung. However, when Shim Woo-joon returned, he went back to second base. Shim Woo-joon has a wider range of defense. Head coach Lee Kang-chul expressed, `I catch almost all hitters that are missed between the left and the shortstop.'

A game between Kiwoom and KT at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 16th. KT Kim Sang-soo hit a timely two-run double in the first inning. Gocheok = Song Jeong-heon Reporter songs@sportschosun.com/2024.07.16/

"It would be good if Kim Sang-soo added more strength to his batting at second base. I actually brought him to my team knowing he wanted to see shortstop, but thank you for your understanding. He probably thought about the situation two years later. He's doing really well in our lineup."

Shim Woo-joon is a founding member of KT and a key member who led the 2021 championship. In 2020, he also won the steal king.

Shim Woo-joon will become an FA after this season. At this point, Shim Woo-joon's strong performance helps boost the team's performance, but it is also a matter of increasing the value after the season. Director Lee Kang-chul smiled with a sigh, saying, `Oh, I really have to catch him, but I'm in trouble.'

lunarfly@sportschosun.com