2 points, 2 points, 3 points, 1 point, 9th in team batting average, 8 double plays + 0 home runs...I need a fixer to open the water.

Mar 27, 2025

KBO League SSG and Lotte match held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 25th. He hit an RBI double in the fifth inning with one out and runners on second base. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.25/

KBO League SSG and Lotte match held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 25th. Lotte Jeon Min-jae as the starting shortstop. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.25/

I can hardly see a way out. In the opening four games, Lotte scored only eight points. In the 11th inning of extra time, only three points were scored in one game, and two points or less in the other three games.

The sluggers, who ranked second in the team's batting average (28.5 percent) and second in the OPS (0.782) last year, fell into silence all at once.

First of all, the atmosphere at the beginning of the season is good for strengthening power through this year's trade following Son Ho-young last year. Jung Chul-won showed an intense fastball reminiscent of his rookie days in 2022, and Jeon Min-jae is showing a tough hit while covering the entire infield from the main shortstop.

On top of that, unexpectedly, Information Geun is performing like an oasis by showing good performance in hitting.

But that's all for now. From the so-called captain Jeon Joon-woo to the main players of Lotte's lineup, all hitters who have emerged as the mainstay of last year's lineup are sluggish.

KBO League SSG and Lotte match held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 25th. Lotte Giants' Son Ho-young hit a timely RBI single in the top of the 11th inning with one out and runners on third base. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.25/

When head coach Kim Tae-hyung took over Lotte for the first time, it was the reinforcement of the lineup. Therefore, they found various options through the use of new players, multiple trades, second draft acquisition, and release players, and as a result, last year's solid lineup was completed.

Lotte's fall baseball challenge this year begins with the fact that they will grow one step further. This year, I paid a lot of attention to the pitching staff. Wilkerson and Barnes struggled last year, but the domestic pitchers were very disappointed. In particular, the lack of a good bullpen concentrated the burden on some players, which led to a series of collapse of the bullpen at the end of the season.

Therefore, manager Kim Tae-hyung has been agonizing over reinforcing the mound since the end of last season. It gave opportunities to pitchers who had not been very noticeable so far, actively used newcomers, and found new talent. As a result, Park Jin, Jung Hyun-soo, Park Jun-woo, Kim Kang-hyun, and Song Jae-young gained experience and grew up.

KBO League SSG and Lotte at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 26th. First base with no outs in the first inning. Hwang Sung-bin ran from first base to third base when Yoon Dong-hee hit an infield ground ball. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.26/

Manager Kim Tae-hyung remembers deeply the process of the bullpen collapse last season. "The fastball speed of a bullpen should be at least 145 km."This is why I reiterate. Veteran players such as Kim Sang-soo and Koo Seung-min are no exception.

But this time, the batters are upset. Eight double plays are more frustrating than the ninth team batting average (226 percent). He is overwhelmingly No. 1 among the 10 teams. This is why he is losing momentum every time he faces a crisis. Three of them were poured out against Incheon SSG Landers on the 25th.

To make matters worse, even Ko Seung-min is out due to a side injury. It is not possible to strengthen power through trade, and there are not many players who can be in the second division at the moment. At least, pitchers can expect veteran Han Hyun-hee and high-profile prospects Lee Min-seok and Jin Seung-hyun.

The KBO League SSG and Lotte match will be held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 25th. Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung is demonstrating his batting directly to the players. Incheon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.25/

In the meantime, the group's expectations are sky-high. It is expected that this year will be a year to relieve the seven-year accumulation of fall baseball failures. Senior members of the group, including Shin Yoo-yeol, head of Lotte Holdings' future growth office, watched the opening game, and Lee Kang-hoon, CEO of Lotte Giants, is also working to support them by accompanying them on the expedition to the metropolitan area.

Coach Kim Tae-hyung said, `In the end, the players have to hit it.' Lotte's misaligned pitching balance has been a concern all season. How can we get through the current situation.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.

2 points, 2 points, 3 points, 1 point, 9th in team batting average, 8 double plays + 0 home runs...I need a fixer to open the water.

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