It was a .300 leadoff, but 15G 0.387 is too strong...Maybe KS assistant, it's time to make a decision
Jul 15, 2025
|
|
Hanwha recruited Esteban Floral (28) as a foreign hitter this season. Floral, who was considered the top prospect of the New York Yankees in the Major League, was expected to be a great help in defense and baserunning.
I didn't get off to a good start. Since the opening, he has had a lot of difficulties in hitting, with his batting average in 11 games being only 103 percent, including no hits at 20 at-bats. Since then, there have been some ups and downs in hitting, but they have begun to produce hits steadily, and Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon has placed him as the first batter in consideration of Floral's batting tendency.
'Leadoff' Floral went back successfully. Floral, who has been the first hitter since May 21, has a batting average of 314 with four home runs and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.951 in 17 games. He was the first hitter with long-range power and played the role of an offensive spearhead.
|
|
Luis Liberato came to where Floral was away. Liberato, who came as a short-term foreign player for six weeks, performed intensely from the start. He played three hits against Kiwoom on June 22, and played three consecutive multi-hit games after no hits on the 25th. He also produced a home run in five games. Hanwha's rise was accompanied by a batting average of 387, two home runs, 13 RBIs and an OPS of 1.006 in 15 games.
Coach Kim was also pleased with Liberato's performance. Manager Kim has a good sense of baseball on Liberato's performance. Whether you hit an RBI or a home run, the scene is important, but a home run at 10-1 is meaningless. It was an RBI that gave the team victory, including a three-run home run and a come-from-behind RBI in Daegu"I have a skill to fight with the pitcher I met for the first time. It's very helpful for our team, too" he complimented.
|
Both Floral, who came out as a leadoff before leaving the injury and finished adapting to the KBO League to some extent with a batting average of 314, and Liberato, who showed the best start, are a waste of resources for Hanwha.
In this strange atmosphere, Floral appeared at the All-Star Game event held at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 11th and 12th. Floral, who left for the United States on the 15th of last month, returned home on the 8th as scheduled. The performance of 'substitute' could have been a bit uncomfortable, but Floral attended the fan signing and exchanged greetings with fans, and had a good time with his colleagues.
I didn't take any questions regarding Liberato, but the injury was beyond my control. It can't be helped. Now, the goal is to prepare as soon as possible and return to the team," he said, expressing his motivation.
Hanwha is dreaming of not only hope for fall baseball but also going straight to the Korean Series as it finished first in the first half of the year. The proportion of foreign hitters cannot be ignored in order to continue the upward trend and to achieve the best performance in short-term games. Now it's time to make any choice.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.