KIA Tigers outfielder Na Seong-beom (34) is expected to delay his return to the regular season. He is expected to return in mid-April after not being included in the regular league opening match.
As a member of the national team, Na Seong-beom returned to the team after the 5th WBC tournament held in Japan in early March, but suffered pain in his left calf during defense training and was unable to participate in the demonstration game. It was already a problem area during the WBC competition.
He expected to return right away, but his hiatus continues to lengthen. He said that the condition of his most important calf is not easy to play. In the end, the record of the iron man who participated in the all-around for two consecutive years was stopped.
Manager Kim Jong-guk said, “I bet lightly indoors, but I can’t train normally. He still says he’s insecure. I can’t run 100% because of my calves. I can’t defend and run.”
He continued, “I will start full-scale training soon, but even after the opening, I have to play actual games with the Futures team. At least until mid-April, I think it will be difficult for the first team to play.” 메이저놀이터
After all, the return period is flexible depending on the speed of treatment. At least, KIA had to play 10 to 15 games without Na Seong-beom after the opening.
Na Seong-beom did not make it to the opening game, so the composition of the outfield changed. Socrates Brito, Kim Ho-ryeong, Lee Chang-jin, Lee Woo-seong, Ko Jong-wook, and Kim Seok-hwan, who played in the demonstration game, are expected to enter the opening roster. Designated hitter Choi Hyeong-woo will also play in left field.
The defense of the outfield doesn’t seem to be a big problem. Instead, the other line has no choice but to be that loose. Na Seong-beom posted .30, 21 homers, 97 RBIs and an OPS of .910 in the first year of his free agent transfer last year. He was the best scorer among hitters.
Socrates, Hwang Dae-in, Choi Hyung-woo and Byeon Woo-hyuk form a clean-up trio. With Na Seong-beom missing, the destructive power of the center line is inevitably lower than other teams. If the center batting line does not feel intimidating to the opposing pitcher, the entire batting line cannot exert its strength.
In the end, it is absolutely necessary to protect baseball with a mound that is rich in quality and quantity. In addition to the performance of middle-ranking hitters, Kim Do-young and Park Chan-ho’s mobility and strategy should increase their scoring power and strengthen their defense. Kim Jong-guk-ho, who is in his second year, starts with homework from the opening.