Lee Jung-hoo (Kiwoom Heroes) Worrying was useless. Lee Jung-hoo, who had a batting average of 0.067 in four games after the opening, recorded a batting average of 0.381 and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.051 in the following five games.
The swinging batting balance is on the right track. He is producing good hits by hitting whatever pitches the opposing pitcher throws. This is the best hitter in the KBO League, Lee Jung-hoo.
Lee Jung-hoo played a big role in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League KIA Tigers match held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 14th with 4 hits, 3 hits, 1 walk and 4 RBIs. In the bottom of the 2nd and 7th innings, Lee Jung-hoo, who hit two RBIs twice in a timely manner, led the team to a 9-2 victory.
Kiwoom coach Hong Won-gi applauded, saying, “Lee Jung-hoo led the attack well and was able to win by hitting the right time at every scoring opportunity.”
Lee Jung-hoo recorded his first multi-run with his second multi-hit of the season, and raised his batting average to 0.250 for the season.
Once it explodes, it is Lee Jung-hoo’s long-term strength메이저놀이터. Considering his recent hot hitting, it will not take long for him to reach a 30% batting average.
It is true that there were not a few people who looked at Lee Jung-hoo with concern even in the first few games of the season. As the players who participated in the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) are struggling, some argued that Lee Jung-hoo is also suffering from the aftereffects.
Lee Jung-hoo did something a little different. He has an excellent linemanship and even swung the bat on a ‘bad ball’. Director Hong also said, “Lee Jung-hoo was too impatient and the miss rate increased.”
However, Lee Jung-hoo emphasized that the slump was also a ‘part of the process’ of the long race. There are bad times depending on the batting cycle, and that time coincided with the opening of the season.
Lee Jung-hoo drew the line, saying, “There are no aftereffects of the WBC,” and said, “I didn’t care at all (even if the batting average was low). Because this (slump) period continued to come throughout the season. It was also the case when the high batting average record was reduced. This year, the season begins I just came as soon as I did it, so I think it was more visible.”
Swinging the bat even with bad balls was a process to recover the batting balance. He explained, “I wasn’t nervous. I swung a lot of bats, even with bad balls, to find a balance in hitting, so I had a lot of miss swings.”
“It just didn’t fit. It’s not a matter of adapting to the batting form. I’ve only played 9 games now,” he said. “he added.
Lee Jung-hoo recorded no hits in 5 at-bats against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil on the 11th. In the bottom of the 9th inning, when the team trailed 4-6, with 2 out on 2nd and 3rd base, the right fielder was out on a fly, and the chance to tie the game was not saved. However, he said that he felt a difference from this blow.
He said, “Even though I was out in the last at-bat in the first game of three consecutive matches with Doosan, I hit at the timing I wanted. So I believed it would get better.” Fortunately, on the 13th, against Doosan, the first time in the scoring zone came out, and the blood was pierced. So, on the 14th, against KIA, I was able to hit the right time without any burden.”
Lee Jung-hoo, who started wielding the fire bat again, plans to focus on accumulating multipliers. Kiwoom is in 6th place with 5 wins and 6 losses, but from now on, more wins are needed to play the postseason at a high level.
Lee Jung-hoo said, “In the past, there have been many cases where we have been sluggish at the beginning of the season, rebounded from the middle, and competed for the final ranking until the end. In the middle of this season, we may be away due to participating in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, so early results are more important. I was so sorry that I couldn’t be of any help,” he said.
Meanwhile, Lee Jung-hoo bowed his head to apologize to hitting coach Kang Byung-sik, who was sent down to the second team on the 11th to refresh the atmosphere following the team’s sluggish batting.
He said, “Coach Kang Byeong-shik, who I’ve been with since my rookie days, went to the 2nd team, but I’m so sorry. If I had done better in the beginning, this wouldn’t have happened, but (2nd team Lee Dong-yi) seems to be my fault,” he said. I gave it to him, and he said, ‘You’re doing well, so you’ll get better again. Don’t worry too much’.”