KIA coach Kim Jong-guk picks Kim Gyu-seong (26) as the number 1 backup player in the infield this season without hesitation. He said that he is very versatile because he can play a variety of positions. He is one of the players coach Kim trusts and entrusts with the middle and second half of the game. He had a lot of confidence, so he was always in the first team.
However,메이저사이트 Kim Gyu-seong carried out this mission last year as well. In other words, it means that nothing has moved forward or fundamentally changed the game of the KIA infield since this time last year. Kim Gyu-seong went to Geelong Korea in Australia during his last off-season, and in the process, his batting and slugging power improved, raising high expectations. However, his starting lineup was solid. Park Chan-ho at shortstop and Kim Seon-bin at second base were clear starters. At third base, the gap between Kim Do-young and Ryu Ji-hyeok seemed small.
However, Kim Kyu-seong has never been to the 2nd team since joining the opening entry, and each time he leaves, he makes several plays that leave a strong impression. Kim Kyu-seong took part in 25 out of 33 games played by the team this season, and took only 33 at-bats. He has a batting average of 0.167, which is not a performance he can brag about. However, it is clear that he leaves a strong impact beyond playing time.
There are very few games this season as a starter, but I did one on the day I went out. In the game against NC on April 26, he hit a 3-run home run in the second inning and contributed greatly to the team’s victory. In the 2nd inning, which was 0-0, KIA took the opportunity with Socrates’ hit and Hwang Dae-in’s ball that hit the body, and Joo Hyo-sang hit the right time and scored the first point. Here, Kim Gyu-seong hit a 3-run home run over the right fence and quickly ran away to 4-0. For NC, it was a home run hit by the ninth batter, so it was a big shock, and KIA eventually won 6-0.
On April 29th, at Jamsil Stadium, he entered as a major runner and succeeded in home stealing, fully bringing the atmosphere of the series. Although leading 5-3, in the ninth inning desperately needed a run to secure victory, 2 outs loaded the bases. Third base runner Kim Kyu-seong gradually widened his stride, completely stealing the pitch timing from opposing pitcher Ham Deok-joo and rushing home. LG Battery noticed this belatedly and dealt with it, but Kim Kyu-seong swept the groove first. Kim Kyu-seong’s roar remained as a scene symbolizing KIA’s victory on this day.
On the 17th against Daegu Samsung, he played well in defense. KIA scored 4 points from the 3rd inning, and after that, additional points appeared steadily and seemed to seize the victory. However, after leading 7-3 in the 9th inning with a hit and a walk, Park Chan-ho’s mistake led to a timely 2 RBI hit by Pirella, leading to a lead of 7-6, 1 point.
▲ Kim Kyu-seong is expected to have more playing time after the mid-season, when players need to arrange their stamina ⓒKIA Tigers
Here, Koo Ja-wook’s strong ball hit second baseman Kim Kyu-seong. It wasn’t too difficult to catch, but the praiseworthy part of this play was next. In a situation where second base runner Pirella stopped the start, Kim Gyu-seong chose third base instead of first base to catch Pirella. What used to be 2 out of 3 became 2 out of 1 base. It was the moment when the atmosphere of Samsung’s pursuit cooled down.
2nd 3rd base and 2nd 1st base have different pressure on the battery in a one-point game. This is because a single violent fight can lead to a tie. Kim Gyu-seong’s judgment was good. Usually, in this situation, it is the instinct of the players to choose the first base with the closest throwing distance. Third base has a long throwing distance, so it is difficult to guarantee the accuracy of 1st base. However, Kim Kyu-seong boldly threw it to third base, cutting Samsung’s odds of a turnaround that day. It was a play that was possible because he was confident.
Now he is a backup, and it is a difficult position to get an at-bat in a game, but Kim Gyu-seong is a player who clearly has an important mission in the KIA power plan. Veteran Kim Sun-bin needs to manage his stamina. KIA coach Kim Jong-guk also tended to arrange Kim Seon-bin’s playing time last year. Park Chan-ho, who is a runner and consumes a lot of stamina, may need time to do that.
In order for the main players to complete the season more vividly, it is necessary for the backup players to support the break. Kim Kyu-seong is, as manager Kim Jong-kook said, a ‘first-class player’. Attention is focusing on whether he will be able to solidify and expand his position in the limited playing time.