Injury return → Futures 'Power Protests', start retaking the main line? Will 'Uta big guns' add to KIA's second-half move?

Jul 06, 2024

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Should we add new strength to the team that is about to fight in the second half.

KIA Tigers 'Utta big gun'Hwang Dae-in (28), who collapsed due to injury shortly after the opening, is steadily preparing to return. Hwang Dae-in, who joined the Futures (second division) team at the end of last month, is rapidly increasing his performance with a batting average of 444, one homer and three RBIs.

Hwang Dae-in injured his left hamstring (back muscle of his thigh) when he fell during a base run against Lotte in Gwangju on March 27. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance, but he was seriously injured to the extent that he could not conduct a proper examination due to a lot of blood in the injured area. It was a pity because it was an injury that came at a time when the team gradually increased its performance.

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Hwang Dae-in, who took over the position of KIA's main first baseman in the 2022 season. In that year, he recorded a career high of 256 (122 hits in 476 at-bats) with 14 homers and 91 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.716. However, he eventually had to leave the starting position last year amid a slump in batting average of 2.13 (37 hits in 174 times at bat) with five homers and 26 RBIs and an OPS of 0.618 points.

Hwang Dae-in, who was not invited to this season's first-team spring camp. I opened the knife that I went through the winter at Futures Camp. As a result, he was called up to the second camp of the first team, and he steadily got opportunities through practice games and exhibition games. With Lee Woo-sung moving due to the injury of outfielder Na Sung-bum, Hwang Dae-in has been selected as a resource to fill the rotation of first base.

KIA's worries ahead of the second half of the year remain at first base again.

While Lee Woo-sung, who played an active role in the first half, collapsed due to injury, KIA is using Byun Woo-hyuk as an alternative resource. Byun Woo-hyuk has a batting average of 289 (13 hits in 45 at-bats) and an OPS of 0.719 in 19 games in the first team. It's not a bad performance, but it's a pity that it's a little far from what the team expects. Seo Geon-chang can also play first base, but considering his utilization of covering up to second base, it is also true that he needs rotation and competitive resources with Byun Woo-hyuk. Until Lee Woo-sung returns, it is worth expecting that Hwang Dae-in will be able to take over the role.

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KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said of Hwang Dae-in "Recently, starting with the designated hitter in the Futures team, he is also taking the stage of defending first base."The first base defense is not bad, and he is a player with a long shot. A player who can use it very well." However, as much as he suffered a major injury, there is a part that needs to be checked perfectly. "I think it's right to closely check the condition according to the team's schedule and prepare to post it if it's judged to be good." said the future roadmap.

ppark@sportschosun.com