"I haven't seen Lapak Duck yet" 140m → 120m leg minus extra-large home run, powerful break → secret of Caesar's kick
Jul 22, 2024
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It's a premonition of success. Samsung Lions' Ruben Cardenas (27) is quenching the thirst of his team and fans with a terrifying long shot.
Slugger, who played for the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs in the Triple-A Philadelphia Minor League. He was recognized for his power enough to hit 20 home runs in 52 games in the first half of this season. 2nd place in home runs in the International League.
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It was expected to be an optimized player for Samsung's batter-friendly home stadium Lions Park. When I open the lid, it's a good thing.
He played just three games, but had six hits in 15 times at bat (0.400) with five RBIs. Of the six hits, he had two homers and two doubles, respectively, with more than half of his slugging. The slugging ratio is 0.933 and the OPS is 1.333.
Cardenas, who played as the fourth batter in three consecutive home games against Lotte, seems to be adapting by playing one hit on the 19th, two hits on the 20th, and three hits on the 21st.
Both homers boasted a long distance.
In the second game against Lotte on the 20th, he kicked Jin Hae-soo's low slider to hit his first home run since his KBO debut. A 140-meter-long home run at the top of the stands.
Immediately after, he hit a home run for two consecutive days the next day. This time, it was a walk-off home run. At the bottom of the ninth inning, trailing 4-5, Lotte closer Kim Won-joong's fork ball was rolled up and threw the bat. He hit a 120-meter walk-off home run on the left end of the stand.
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The signs are good. It feels like I met a home run hitter who fits perfectly with the Rafak that Samsung was waiting for.
Of course, it is premature to jump to conclusions. We've only played three games now. It is time for other clubs to start full-scale microscopic analysis. Since he clearly announced that he has a shot, there is a high possibility that he will persistently attack his weaknesses or compete with a good ball and a manned ball. The key to continued success is how to deal with KBO league pitchers in disarray and unnerving composure.
The positive side is that even though he is a slugger, he is appropriately targeting the balls of KBO pitchers who have many breaking balls and manned pitches. Both of the big home runs were the result of hitting breaking balls such as sliders and fork balls.
Something unusual was spotted in the batting posture.
After striking with the left foot, the moment the ball hits the bat, the right leg falls back and delivers powerful power to the ball.
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Cesar kicks help decelerate the posterior hip during pelvic rotation when striking. It maximizes the instantaneous inertia of the bat with a strong brake effect using ground reaction. It has various effects, such as maintaining temporal and spatial space, balance of the body, and generating explosive power.
Usually, players with excessive rotation or big guns with good power but lack of flexibility often use it.
This is why if you hit it, you will get a long-distance home run. Cardenas was not a huge slugger in the first place. In 2020, when minor league games were canceled due to COVID-19, he improved his bat speed and greatly increased his power by establishing a swing mechanism for his body. Caesar's kick was also one of the secrets that made him the best slugger in Triple-A.
Photo courtesy = Samsung Lions
hschung@sportschosun.com
