The Kia Tigers’ Kim Do-young’s hit was electrifying. In the top of the fourth inning, with his team leading 3-0, he lined a 146-kilometer fastball high and out of the zone against Doosan Bears starter Kwak Bin in a 1B1S battle. The pitch curved in a big parabola and went over the left field fence at Jamsil Stadium for a two-run shot into the top of the stands. The distance was 125.4 meters according to the analysis table that the home team Doosan commissioned from a data analysis company, but the broadcasting company’s data showed a distance of 130 meters. The KIA bleachers on the third base side were in a frenzy, and the Doosan bleachers on the first base side were silent in amazement.카지노사이트
The legends who watched the game were also full of praise. Commentator Lee Soon-cheol said, “He was hit by a similar pitch in his previous at-bat, so I think he was aiming for it,” and added, “He hit a fastball that was chest-high. It’s great that he made it into a home run.” Commentator Kim Tae-hyung also said, “It was a perfect weight shift and timing. It went over the fence the moment it hit.”
Legend Lee, a former Tigers player who also won the Rookie of the Year, continued his praise. “The second-year high school player is showing all the power and technique of hitting,” he said, adding, “I call him the closest player to five tools, and now I will go to seven tools.”
The KIA-Dusan game was held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on June 6. Kim Do-young, third baseman, hits a two-run shot in the fourth inning.
A five-tool player is a common phrase for a well-rounded beast, meaning a player who can make contact, hit for power, run the bases, play defense, and throw. Lee is a 7-tool player, which is the term used to describe a player who can hit for contact, hit for power, and play defense.
Kim joined the KIA with the first overall pick in the 2022 rookie draft, and his arrival was met with praise, including “genius hitter,” “second coming of Lee Jong-beom,” and “five-tool player.” However, in his rookie season last year, Kim batted just 2-for-33 (53-for-224) with three home runs, 19 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.674 in 103 regular-season games. He had the honor of becoming the first Tigers player in franchise history to lead off on Opening Day after joining the Opening Day roster, but he struggled so badly that he batted in the single digits in the month of April and spent the rest of the season as a pinch hitter.
Kim Do-young in his second year. After being sidelined for more than two months with a fractured left metatarsal in the opening two games, there was a lot of concern, but Kim has maintained a triple-digit batting average since joining the first team. His hits (62), home runs (4), RBIs (27) and stolen bases (15) have already surpassed last year’s numbers.
The KIA-Dusan game at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on June 6. Kim Do-young, first baseman, celebrates after hitting a two-run shot in the fourth inning.
Kim prepared for this year by focusing on physical fitness during the offseason. He also found psychological stability. He showed a different side since spring training. His bat started to become more concise and his power increased. His strikeout numbers, which reached 62 last year while drawing 22 walks, were nearly halved this year (22 walks, 38 strikeouts), and his lineup improved significantly. The presence of veteran Na Sung-bum, who spent the rehabilitation period with Kim after suffering an injury before the opening day, also helped Kim find some psychological stability and confidence. The fact that he continued to accompany the first team while playing a backup role last year is also a factor that adds to his stability this season.
Kim has made great strides without being discouraged by his debut season. His confidence grew as he continued to improve and produce results despite injuries. The Tigers’ desire for another genius hitter after Lee Jong-beom seems to be becoming a reality.