Ryu Ji-hyuk left the team in a trade. Kia Tigers’ infield will be reorganized once again due to Ryu Ji-hyuk’s departure. In fact, it is safe to say that the best lineup of the KIA Tigers infielders in 2023 has been formed.
First of all, there is something solidified by Ryu Ji-hyuk’s departure. It is Kim Do-young’s third baseman. Ryu Ji-hyuk was the most stable third base resource in Kia. When Kim Do-young was out due to injury, the gap was not revealed more than expected because of Ryu Ji-hyuk.
However, as Ryu Ji-hyuk left, the starting third baseman is very likely to be fixed to Kim Do-young in the future. Head coach Kim Jong-kook said in an official interview, “Kim Do-young may have a recurrence of his injury.” Shortstop has too much movement to worry about. Above all, Chan-ho is more stable in shortstop defense at this point.”
In addition, head coach Kim Jong-kook expressed his intention to use Kim Do-young as a third baseman rather than a shortstop, saying, “If Chan-ho is injured or unable to play, he can use Doyoung as a shortstop, but now he has to go to third base.”
Head coach Kim Jong-kook said, “I’m a defensive player, but I want Kim Do-young to break through the team’s path in offense. That’s why we keep him in the top lineup. Also, Park Chan-ho wants to play his role more in the field of defense.
In the meantime, attaching two players in the 9th and 1st batting order is also intended to revive the mobility of the two. First of all, Kim Do-young 메이저도메인 carried out Kim’s will well at Munhak Stadium on the first day of Ryu Ji-hyuk’s departure. He played a big role in the 17-3 victory by hitting four hits, including consecutive at-bats home runs.
Another is Park Min’s role in Sangmu. Park Min is a resource who used to play shortstop in high school. However, after entering the professional league, he mainly played third base, and recently, he has been playing second base in Sangmu. Above all, Bonn wants a position where he can play as a main player when he is discharged from the military this year.
In that sense, Park Min overlaps with Ryu Ji-hyuk’s Ji-hyuk. This is especially true in that it is a resource where you can see third and second base. Therefore, if Park Min is discharged from the military, it means that there is a high possibility that she will play the role of Ryu Ji-hyuk.
Finally, Kim Kyu-sung’s utilization is also expected to increase significantly than before.
At this point, it is Kim Kyu-sung who is most trusted as a utility resource that can see all second, third, and shortstop.
Kim Kyu-sung is also the number one resource to enter if he is vacant due to a pinch hitter in the second half.
Kim Sun-bin is likely to return to the lineup this week. Therefore, Kim Kyu-sung’s priority is the most likely position at this point when replacing Kim Sun-bin, Kim Do-young, and shortstop Park Chan-ho due to injury variables or second-half pinch-runner and algebra costs while maintaining a fixed lineup.