"You said it was okay, right?" The eldest brother is back. DH, let's go! KIA left-hander Yoo Ji-sung's first first-team call-up
Aug 27, 2024
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KIA Tigers' Choi Hyung-woo (41) returned to the first division entry in three weeks. Coach Lee Bum-ho called up Choi Hyung-woo ahead of the SSG Landers match at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. James Nail and Jang Hyun-sik, who were injured on the 25th, were canceled and filled the vacancy.
Choi Hyung-woo, who took a break for about three weeks due to fine damage to his right internal abdominal muscles, is perfectly ready to return. He played in the Futures (second division) league game from the 23rd to the 25th and adjusted his senses. At the match against Doosan Bears in Hampyeong on the 25th, he made a 'powerless demonstration' with a home run over the right-center field with a flying distance of 130 meters. Upon hearing the news, director Lee said, `I should have called earlier. "You should have hit it here," he said after joking, "'When I talked to him on the phone after the game, he said there was no pain at all.'" "I think he can join the team from the next schedule." As scheduled, the call-up was confirmed ahead of the SSG match.
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Choi Hyung-woo hit .281 (103 hits in 367 at-bats) with 19 home runs and 93 RBIs in 99 games this season and 0.867 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). He has consistently played in the central lineup since the opening. His performance of double-digit home runs and 100 RBIs despite his batting average in the late-20s can be guessed by delaying why his nickname is 'Solver'. He is a player who contributed to KIA's lead by hitting a single shot at every crisis.
His dedication outside the ground was also outstanding.
After taking a break after his injury, Choi Hyung-woo claimed to accompany him on the KIA expedition.
Although he could not participate, he practiced his will to cheer with his juniors. The 'Choi Hyung-woo effect' is expected to be more prominent in that he is a player who can give weight just by including the lineup.
Meanwhile, Lee called up left-hander Yoo Ji-sung (24) along with Choi Hyung-woo. Yoo Ji-sung, a native of Cheonan Bukil High School and nominated by KIA in the second and fourth rounds of the 2020 rookie draft, recorded 3-1-1 hold and a 3.81 ERA in 26 innings in 20 Futures League games this season. It is his first first first team call-up since his debut.
ppark@sportschosun.com
