First selection of second-year debut → Unexpected appointment of leadoff...KIA's desperate surprise move for 4 consecutive losses → successfully attacked the monster! From his first hit to stealing
Mar 30, 2025
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Park Jae-hyun (19, KIA Tigers) started the game against the Hanwha Eagles at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 30th as the first batter and center fielder.
Park Jae-hyun, who showed good performance not only in offense and defense but also in base running during his time at Incheon High School, was nominated by KIA in the third round (25th overall) of the rookie draft in 2025. No. 1 pick among high school outfielders.
In six exhibition games, he showed good performance with a batting average of 417 (five hits in 12 at-bats) and two steals, and succeeded in entering the opening game entry.
He also consistently showed his value in the first team. Although he was a substitute, he scored two points on one walk in six games, expanding his management in the middle and second half of the game. In the match against Hanwha on the 29th, he drew a walk against Hanwha's new closer Kim Seo-hyun and succeeded in getting on base for the first time since his debut.
He was listed as the first hitter against Hanwha on the 30th, although he gradually took the first step of adapting to the first team.
a rather unconventional decision. KIA manager Lee Bum-ho said, `I wanted to open the water with a different feeling. Won-jun ran a lot, too. (Ryu)Hyun-jin is a left-handed pitcher, so I'm going to give Won-jun a day off. "I thought it was okay considering Park Jae-hyun watching Kim Seo-hyun's ball yesterday." The team feels stagnant, so I put it in because I thought it would be okay if a young player went out and moved."
Park Jae-hyun showed coach Lee's wishes from the first at-bat. He immediately turned the bat on Ryu Hyun-jin's first pitch fastball and made a hit in front of left field. Later, when Na Sung-beom, the third batter, succeeded in stealing second base, making his first hit and stealing.
Park Jae-hyun moved actively in the first inning, but failed to score the first goal as the follow-up hit did not continue.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
