Late 2nd year jinx? The best hitter in the team with 18 home runs → 0.133 batting average is a suspicious slump...The head coach's head gets complicated.

Mar 17, 2025

The KBO League exhibition game between Lotte and LG held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 10th. Lotte's Son Ho-young made a defensive error in the sixth inning. Busan = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.10/

The exchange game between the Lotte Giants and the Chiba Lotte Marines held at Miyako nojo Baseball Stadium in Miyazaki, Japan on the 28th. Lotte Son Ho-young is catching his breath. Miyazaki(Japan) = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com/2025.02.28/

A game between the Lotte Giants and the Seibu Lions at Nango Stadium in Miyazaki, Japan, on the 23rd. Lotte Son Ho-young is taking a hit. Miyazaki(Japan) = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.02.23/

"I hope you don't rush too much..."

Lotte Giants 'Best hitter' Son Ho-young (30) wins the award.

Son Ho-young has recorded six exhibition games and two hits in 15 at-bats (one double) with two RBIs until the 16th. He struck out three, while he didn't get a single walk.

Now there are only two exhibition games left. Lotte will wrap up the exhibition game with the last two consecutive Gocheok away games against the Kiwoom Heroes for two days from the 17th to the 18th. On the 22nd, 'Elotrasico' will start the new season through the opening two consecutive games in Jamsil against the LG Twins.

There are no injuries, but the bat is not getting hit. Although he did not meet the regular at-bats last year, the mid- to long-distance hitter, who had a batting average of 318, 18 home runs, 78 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.896, is nowhere to be seen.

The KBO League exhibition game between Lotte and Hanwha at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 13th. Lotte's batting Son Ho-young. Busan = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.13/

Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung's mind is also complicated. Coach Kim Tae-hyung, who met at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 17th, said of Son Ho-young's poor performance, `It's just that the bat doesn't fit right now. He said, "You have to find your own sense of hit quickly."

Then "He hits the pitcher." Don't get too impatient. I hope you keep your pace," he added.

Son Ho-young's continued sluggishness left even the batting order, which had been set, in agony. He virtually confirmed Hwang Sung-bin-2 Ko Seung-min as a table setter and Son Ho-young, Reyes and Yoon Dong-hee as a clean-up.

Son Ho-young said last year was her first full-time season since her debut. He ranked No. 1 in home runs in the team and achieved a performance like a leading hitter. Now it is the first year facing intensive analysis from each team in earnest. suffer from an unexpected second-year jinx It's not strange at all. The player himself has to overcome it in class.

Lotte Ko Seung-min joined the team training.

Ko Seung-min's condition is also key. Ko Seung-min played second base defense for the first time the day before after missing during the second camp in Miyazaki due to an ankle injury.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung said, `Seungmin's move was not bad. I don't think there's a problem with my ankle in particular. "I have to see Ko Seung-min's condition, Son Ho-young's condition is not good, and the batting order can change a little depending on the opposing pitchers."

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.