Baby Lion’ Kim Hyun-joon – Lee Jae-hyun’s task… Now the ‘shield’ is gradually peeling off

Samsung’s keyword for 2023 is ‘young blood’. The time has come for the young guns to become the main axis. If we were to pick the front runners, they would be ‘Lion Lion’ Lee Jae-hyeon (20) and Kim Hyeon-joon (22). Lee Jae-hyun is in his second year of joining, and Kim Hyun-joon is in his second year of full-time. Last year, expectations were high. We have to do better this year. It should also be taken into account that the ‘shield’ gradually disappears. 안전놀이터

Lee Jae-hyun, Samsung’s primary nominee in 2022, played 75 games in his debut season with a batting average of 0.235, 7 home runs and 23 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.597. He showed the potential of a ‘Geopo shortstop’. His injuries kept him out of many games, but he made an impact.

Coincidentally, Kim Sang-soo, who started as the starting shortstop in the second half of last year, obtained FA qualification and left for KT. The position of shortstop has virtually become Muju Gongsan, and Lee Jae-hyun is the number one player. Samsung is also holding the strand like that. If Lee Jae-hyeon settles down, he will be able to eliminate the shortstop worry for 10 years.

Kim Hyun-joon is Samsung’s hit product in 2022. When Park Hae-min moved to LG, he was very worried about the center fielder. Kim Hyun-joon, who is in his second year of joining the team and in fact the first year in the first team, appeared like a comet and took the center fielder position. He made 118 games, batting average of .275, 22 RBI, 57 runs scored, and an OPS of .715. He was also mentioned as a candidate for Rookie of the Year.

If there are no special variables, Kim Hyeon-jun is the starting center fielder again this year. A level where even a worthy alternative is not visible. Kim Hyun-joon’s role will be bigger than last year. His skills were clearly shown. Direct comparison with Park Hae-min may be unreasonable right now, but Kim Hyun-joon is also an attractive enough center fielder. Now, you just have to show a proper appearance for the week.

They have something in common. In 2022, even if you made a mistake, it became ‘forgiveness’. because it is young It is not an easy league for high school graduates and second-year high school graduates to fly. Any amount is praised. It seems that 2023 will be no different. At the age of 20 and 22, there is still a long way to go.

Still, the comparison target has no choice but to be last year’s impact. There will also be a cold gaze that says, ‘If you have shown the possibility, now you have to make it a reality’. Even more so because he is a pro. Samsung’s success in 2023 is also at stake.

In November of last year, Samsung left for finishing camp in Okinawa. Manager Park Jin-man requested an overseas camp, and the club accepted it. I really tasted hell. It is quenching for the 2023 season. We need to show it properly in the upcoming season.
raining99@sportsseoul.com