The critical moment 'Bang!'...The second birth of Moon Hyunbin? Bukil High School second baseman Kim Ki-chan 'Snow Path'

Jul 09, 2024

◇photo courtesy of Cheonanbukilgo

The two-run shot that came out at a critical moment was more thrilling because it was my first taste of this season.

Cheonan Bukil High School second baseman Kim Ki-chan (18) helped his team win with a cool two-run shot. Kim Ki-chan sealed his team's 7-0 victory and advance to the round of 16 by firing a wedge two-run shot in the top of the eighth inning with a 4-0 lead in the 79th Cheongryong National High School Baseball Championship and the weekend league King Wangjung match (co-hosted by the Chosun Ilbo, Sports Chosun, and the Korea Baseball Softball Association) at Shinwol Stadium on the 9th.

Leading 4-0 until the seventh inning, Bukil High School took a chance with a right-handed hit by leadoff hitter Lee Jin-yong in the top of the eighth inning. In the 2B2S match against Kim Tae-woo, Kim Ki-chan kicked a breaking ball that fell toward his body. The extended ball led to a two-run shot over the left fence. Kim Ki-chan enjoyed the joy of his first win of Cheongryonggi by performing well with one hit (one home run) in three at-bats, two walks, two RBIs and two runs.

◇photo courtesy of Kim Ki-chan

Kim Ki-chan, who joined Bukil High School in 2022 after passing through Cheonan Bukjung and Raonjung, is considered a batter with good athletic ability and excellent contact ability. Coach Lee Sang-gun of Bukil High School focused on utilizing his on-base ability by placing Kim Ki-chan as the second batter in this Cheongryonggi. Kim Ki-chan took his first step to the Blue Dragon Flag in a good mood as he performed well to meet these expectations.

Kim Ki-chan's performance reminds me of Moon Hyun-bin (Hanwha Eagles), who is a year older. Moon Hyun-bin, who showed his batting ability during his time at Bukil High School, was selected by Hanwha in the second round of the 2023 KBO Rookie Draft. Contrary to expectations that he would have difficulty competing for the starting lineup in the early days of his joining, he has made a new history of achieving 100 hits in the team's first high school rookie debut season.

Another talent created by Bukil High School is why attention is being paid to the performance of the Cheongryonggi.

ppark@sportschosun.com