What if the new on-base king monster hitter is attached to a healthy Hong Chang-ki? I think I've become conscious. Because I'm the challenger next year.

Sep 13, 2025

LG Hong Chang-ki is interviewing reporters on the 12th. Jamsil = Reporter Kwon In-ha

A game between the LG Twins and the Lotte Giants at Jamsil Stadium on the 22nd. In the bottom of the third inning, LG Hong Chang-ki hits a timely hit with two outs and runners on the second and third bases. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.03.22/

SSG-LG match held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 2nd. Hong Chang-ki is happy after hitting a hit with one out in the bottom of the third inning. Jamsil = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.5.2/

"I'm going to challenge next year, so I have to prepare well."

He didn't seem to have any intention of giving up the on-base title. Returning from injury 'On base King'Hong Chang-ki (LG Twins) saw a new competitor while out. It's Ahn Hyun-min, KT Wiz's 'Monster Rider'.

Ahn began to make his name known in late April. And he became the main player and became a hitter who would not know his name if he were a fan of the KBO League.

He started the season late, but as of the 12th, he is ranked first with a on-base percentage of 443, third with a batting average of 329, and second with a slugging percentage of 562.

Kim Sung-yoon of the Samsung Lions is ranked second in on-base percentage, and as of the end of the season, Ahn Hyun-min is likely to become the on-base king.

Of course, Hong Chang-ki is the person who comes to mind when he gets on base in the KBO League. He has won three on-base titles in the last four years, including 2021 and 2023, and last year. He tried to win his third consecutive on-base king title this season, but he will return to the first division again on September 13, four months after undergoing surgery for a left knee injury while defending against Kiwoom in Jamsil on May 13.

If Hong Chang-ki had continued to run unscathed, wouldn't he have been competing with Ahn Hyun-min for the on-base king.

Hong Chang-ki was the on-base king with 456 percent in 2021, 444 percent in 2023, and 447 percent last year.

The LG-KT match held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 4th. Ahn Hyun-min is running around the ground after hitting a two-run shot with no outs and first base in the bottom of the seventh inning. Suwon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.9.4/

The game between KT and Lotte at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 3rd. KT Ahn Hyun-min hit an RBI double in the sixth inning. Suwon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.09.03/

I asked Hong Chang-ki about Ahn Hyun-min, who has the No. 1 on-base percentage. Hong Chang-ki said "I don't know because I haven't done it this year, but I think I would have been conscious because the performance of the year before and last year seemed similar now. (Ahn Hyunmin) was doing so well that I think he would have become conscious," he said, indicating that he would have competed for the on-base king.

Then "I'll be the challenger next year, so I have to prepare well."," he said, expressing his will to reclaim the on-base king.

Ahn Hyun-min will also play full time from the opening next season, allowing him to challenge the title in all areas of hitting as well as the competition for Hong Chang-ki and the on-base king. This season's title holders are bound to be nervous.

The match between Hong Chang-ki, the existing on-base king, and Ahn Hyun-min, the new on-base king, who returns from injury, is expected to attract interest next season.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.