Isn't it at the stage of discussing two foreign pitchers? → Kiwoom believes in Puig. Unlike in 2022, he's very serious

Apr 22, 2025

Isn't it at the stage of discussing two foreign pitchers? → Kiwoom believes in Puig. Unlike in 2022, he's very serious
Kiwoom Puig hits a ball in the top of the eighth inning at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 13th. Daejeon = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.04.13/



Isn't it at the stage of discussing two foreign pitchers? → Kiwoom believes in Puig. Unlike in 2022, he's very serious
Kiwoom and Hanwha at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 12th, Kiwoom Puig is stepping down with a fly ball to right field in the top of the 7th inning. Daejeon = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.04.12/
"Unlike 2022, he's very serious now."

Kiwoom Heroes foreign hitter Yasiel Puig fell into a slump. Puig appeared in 25 games this year, hitting 0.202 with an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of 0.588. However, Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki expressed faith, saying Puig's posture has changed a lot from the past.

Coach Hong Won-ki expressed both concern and expectation for Puig ahead of the Doosan Bears match in the KBO League in the 2025 season at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 22nd. Puig is sluggish, but he is seriously trying, so there is a high possibility of a rebound.




Puig, a former Major League superstar, came to the KBO League by signing with Kiwoom in 2022. Puig had a satisfactory performance with 21 home runs and an OPS of 0.841. However, Kiwoom gave up renewing its contract as it was involved in an illegal gambling scandal. Over time, Kiwoom confirmed that Puig had no problem playing in the KBO League. Reunited with Puig after the 2024 season.

However, the same destructive power as before is not yet available. Coach Hong Won-ki said, "Even in 2022, Puig did not show a remarkable performance in the beginning. "Wouldn't it be okay to reserve the evaluation of Puig a little bit as we persevere with time now?" he declined to say. He then predicted positively, `I believe that once you get into the atmosphere, you will regain your self.'

Puig himself is making several attempts to make a breakthrough. Coach Hong Won-ki said, `Puig is communicating with the batting coach to understand the problems and concerns. It will be difficult to improve noticeably at once, but I think I'm going in a good direction because I'm making efforts."




Isn't it at the stage of discussing two foreign pitchers? → Kiwoom believes in Puig. Unlike in 2022, he's very serious
The game between Kiwoom and Hanwha at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 12th, and Kiwoom left fielder Puig leaps and catches Hanwha Chae Eun-sung's fly ball in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out. Daejeon = Reporter's book@sportschosun.com/2025.04.12/
Isn't it at the stage of discussing two foreign pitchers? → Kiwoom believes in Puig. Unlike in 2022, he's very serious
A game between Kiwoom and Hanwha at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 13th, passes by manager Hong Won-ki of the dugout after Kiwoom Puig was out with a catcher foul fly in the top of the first inning. Daejeon = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.04.13/
He also said he is not at the stage of already touching the system of two foreign hitters and one pitcher. Kiwoom judged that the lineup lacked destructive power. For the first time in a three-member foreign system, he attempted a drastic breakthrough by using two batters. With Puig's late start and Kiwoom's starters struggling, it is worth tinkering with the foreigners' union change card. However, head coach Hong Won-ki drew the line that it is still too early.

Director Hong Won-ki said, `It's still April. It was our decision to go with two foreign hitters. I don't think we're at the stage of discussing whether it's a success or a failure. Still, I think if these players recover their condition, the direction we wanted to go will come out" he pointed out.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.