Hanwha has been able to take a full-fledged rise since June with Lee Jin-young's forward deployment in the first batting order. Hanwha manager Choi Won-ho picked Lee Jin-young as the No. 1, saying, "Batters 1 to 5 need players with long-distance tools to press the opponent's battery and bench." First batters, including Jung Eun-won, Noh Soo-kwang and Lee Won-seok, were struggling at a time when their batting did not meet expectations, but they showed better-than-expected results and became a fixed batting order for two months.
Lee Jin-young, who has been starting 30 of Hanwha's 31 games as the first batter since the match against LG in Daejeon on June 10, has a batting average of .259 (30 hits in 116 times at bat) and four home runs and 20 RBIs OPS .803. The batting average is not high, but the on-base percentage is high at .381 by adding 24 walks and two balls that hit the body.
Lee Jin-young said, "I was also puzzled when I first went to the first batting order. He played first in the second division, but it was almost the first time in the second division. I thought I might hit a few times as a substitute and fall out, but I'm going out so far, he said. "I don't think I've settled down yet, but I'm trying to connect scoring chances to hitters who play well behind me as much as possible."
Lee Jin-young, who graduated from Sunrin Internet High School and was nominated to KIA with the 58th overall pick in the second 6th round in 2016, came over to Hanwha in a trade on April 23 last year. Hanwha, whose outfield was Muju Gongsan, had a faster opportunity than KIA. He showed his presence by hitting six home runs in May last year alone, but it was a remarkable performance. After June, he showed weakness in breaking balls and finished the season in the second division. Last year, he recorded a batting average of .200 (44 hits in 220 at-bats) with eight home runs, 31 RBIs, 17 walks and 90 strikeouts in 70 games.
Last year's experience was a lesson. Lee Jin-young said, "Unlike last year, I don't get too greedy at bat. As he reduces his greed for long shots, he doesn't even have a hand on bad balls. At the same time, I was able to see the ball better and endure one more breaking ball, he said. "Last year, if I couldn't play well, I had a lot of worries about my form." I had to play, but I couldn't get out of my form because I thought deeply about it being too bad for me. Right now, I'm thinking of doing well again today even if I don't play yesterday. "I can prepare well because the coach gives me a chance the next day even if I can't do it a day," he said.
He started the season in the second division again this year, but after the first division call-up in May, he gradually increased his weight as a pinch hitter, platoon, and starter. He also posted a batting average of .251 (49 hits in 195 times at bat) in 64 games with six home runs, 31 RBIs, 33 walks, 68 strikeouts and OPS.762. He is restraining the runner's base with his strong shoulders and accurate throwing ability not only in hitting but also in the right field defense. With five outfield bodhisattva this year, they are ranked first in the team and third in the league.
Hanwha had long had difficulty in fostering outfielders, and brought in Lee Jin-young through a trade last year. It was to strengthen the outfield depth. Hanwha's long-standing concerns were resolved as Lee Jin-young took a position as an offense and defense outfielder in his second year of transfer after trial and error. For Lee Jin-young, the trade to Hanwha also led to a turnaround in baseball life.
"I came to the trade last year and worked very hard with my mind together, but I failed. I learned a lot through failures, and I was able to prepare well this year due to that experience," he said. "Among the numerous baseball players, it is not common for them to continue to receive opportunities as main players. I am grateful to receive such an opportunity. Last year, I missed a good opportunity and went to the second division, but I don't want to experience it again. I will not miss the opportunity and play baseball desperately," he said. 바카라
Lee Jin-young's desperation is also seen as a special night hit. Every day when his batting is not working out, he volunteers for a night-time special hit and turns his swing strongly. The day after he hit a special hit, he played well and created a pleasant jinx. After finishing the game on his birthday on the 21st of last month, he said, "I prepare for the next day's game by doing a special hit when I didn't have the plan I prepared." Even if it's hard (physically), it's better to have a hard time in the first division," he said.