Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man (48) recently expressed satisfaction with the formation of the infield, maintaining a cool view of Oh Jae-il (38), who went down to the second division due to poor batting.
Ahead of the match against the Kiwoom Heroes in Gocheok on the 28th, Park said, "Young players have been doing well as they settled down at shortstop and third base. The infielders believe that the current composition is close to the whole body."
With the return of injured infielders in April, Samsung's membership has definitely improved. Recently, David McKinnon (first baseman), Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman), Lee Jae-hyun (striker) and Kim Young-woong (third baseman) have been operating as the main lineup. Lee Jae-hyun had shoulder surgery after the last season and joined the first team from the 13th of this month. Ryu Ji-hyuk was injured in the match against the LG Twins in Jamsil on the 27th of last month and has been rehabilitated since the 19th, and has been playing in the first team game again since the 19th. The third baseman was agonizing over whether to play, but Kim Young-woong, who started the season as a shortstop, moved to the third baseman after Lee Jae-hyun joined the team. Kim Young-woong's position shift has further stabilized the infield. Kim Young-woong has been performing better than expected at bat by banking on his long-distance shots.
Infielder Oh Jae-il, who moved down to the second tier, naturally disappeared. Oh, who can generate big hits at bat, also plays a significant role in infield defense. However, due to sluggish batting performance again this year following last year, he has failed to move up to the first tier after declining to the second tier on Saturday. Having hit only 0.167 (6 hits in 36 times at bat), one homer, and three RBIs in 11 games in the first tier, he has hit 0.080 (2 hits in 25 times at bat) and two RBIs in 10 games in the Futures League. McKinnon has now taken the position of McKinnon. McKinnon is competing to become the No. 1 batter.
Only when Oh Jae-il survives can Samsung arrange its physical strength by rotating the infielders who are currently playing as the main players, and build a stronger power. If Oh Jae-il recovers his unique slugging power and returns to the first division to help his team's rise in the early part of the season, there is nothing more he can hope for.
BY: 스포츠토토
