40% of the exhibition game → Finish in front of the chairman, forget the initial sparkle...RBI King → No. 1 in the education league → 2G 6 hits, Hanwha's outfield is excited

Feb 17, 2025

한화 임종찬. Photo courtesy = Hanwha Eagles

A fierce outfield competition. Can we make sure we can make it this time.

Lim Jong-chan (24, Hanwha Eagles) was last year's??got off to a better start than. In 10 exhibition games, he had a batting average of 476, one home run, eight RBIs, and an OPS (long hitting rate + on base rate) of 1.310, showing a 'crazy performance' and was included in the opening entry.

One of the players who competed with Im Jong-chan at the time was Lee Jin-young (28). He showed his slugging ability by hitting 10 home runs in 2023. However, as his batting average remained at 20% in nine exhibition games, Im Jong-chan was given the opportunity first.

In the opening game, veteran Kim Kang-min, who defended well, entered the starting lineup, but Lim Jong-chan received a steady opportunity, including being included in the starting lineup for nine consecutive games. Im Jong-chan was also competitive in defense, showing 'laser throw' based on strong shoulders.

I also made unforgettable memories. On March 29, in the match against KT Wiz in Daejeon, Kim Seung-yeon hit a walk-off hit while visiting the ballpark, making it a 'hero'.

The game between Hanwha and KT at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on the 29th. Im Jong-chan is happy to hit a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth inning. Daejeon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2024.03.29/

The initial momentum was good, but the pace was not maintained. The sense of hitting decreased little by little, and he, who was moving between the first and second teams, eventually failed to play in the first team after the match against KIA on June 23. He earned his first-team report card with 158.7 RBIs in 24 games.

Although he certainly did not settle into the first team, he continued to sharpen his sword in the Futures League. He became the RBI king in the Northern League with 82 RBIs, and was able to finish the season in a good batting sense with a batting average of .306 in the last 10 games.

The momentum continued even after the season was over. In the Miyazaki Education League in Japan, he also topped the team with a batting average of 375 (15 hits in 40 at-bats) and one home run and four RBIs in 13 games.

Lim Jong-chan (Hanwha) is giving his feelings at the 2024 KBO Awards held at Lotte Hotel World on the 26th. Jamsil = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2024.11.26/

His performance continued in the spring camp. Playing right field in a practice game against the Australian national team, he had five hits in two games. While the first game on the 14th became a no-game in the bottom of the fourth inning due to rain, he had three hits on the 15th and two hits on the 16th.

Hanwha's outfield team is expected to be in a fierce competition this season. Foreign hitter Esteban Floral will be in the center fielder's position, but the two corner outfield seats have not been decided for sure.

Im Jong-chan, Lee Jin-young, Kim Tae-yeon, Lee Won-seok, Choi In-ho, Lee Sang-hyuk, Choi Jun-seo, Lee Min-jae are on the spring camp list and are aiming for the first team. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon said, `We don't know which player will enter next year's opening game. It can change. He also predicted an infinite competition, saying, "If you think you're really working hard, showing your attitude of practice and passion to take this position, you're going to support the player."

As Im Jong-chan, he faced an opportunity to hit it again. We only have to repeat our disappointment last year.