“He’s cool and he seems to have a good full swing.” Kim looks to Yanagita as a role model.

The first half of this season was ‘eventful’ for both the team and the player. There were many frustrating moments, but there were also lessons learned. Samsung Lions’ second-year infielder Kim Young-woong is still growing.

Drafted by Samsung with the third pick of the second round last year, Young-woong’s potential was recognized in high school, and he drew the attention of fans and clubs alike. Samsung, which had to replace Yoo Soo-jin, had high hopes for Kim’s development.

After making 13 appearances in the first team in his rookie year, Kim has been given more opportunities this year. His first half stats are 32 games, 63 hits, 11 doubles, .175 batting average, one home run, and six RBIs. He spent more time with the first team than the second team. This earned him the honor of playing in the Futures All-Star Game, where he had a multi-hit performance with four hits, two doubles and one run scored.메이저놀이터

Before the 2023 KBO Futures All-Star Game at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on Thursday, Kim said, “I am honored to be selected as a Futures Women’s All-Star, and I will do my best as much as you have selected me.”

Not forgetting to mention his coaches, Kim Young-woong said, “The (first- and second-team) managers are all good, but the coach who is my grandson takes care of me a lot. It’s always hard, but when others get one pongo, I get three more,” he said, adding, “When it’s hot and we’re playing at home, I’m always grateful that they go out and play pongo 30 minutes before the game.”

“I’m not satisfied (with my first half performance), but I learned a lot from last season in a short period of time,” he said, “I started with the second team this year, and even though I didn’t completely achieve what I thought I would, like last year’s goals, I feel like I’m getting a little bit closer to what I thought I would, so I’m working harder,” he reflected.

Specifically, Kim was pleased with his battling at the plate. He said, “There are some things I’m lacking in the lineup, but I think I’m more familiar with it than last year, and I’m still not doing well in the first team in that regard, but in the second team, I’ve gotten into the batter’s box a lot more and I think my defense has improved a lot.”

If there’s one thing he’s been watching closely, it’s the hitting of outfielder Yuki Yanagita, who plays for the SoftBank Hawks in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). Yanagita is one of the best outfielders in NPB and has been playing for over a decade.

Kim Young-woong, who didn’t have a role model until last year, said, “When it comes to hitting, I don’t think there’s anything I can do to push myself, so I watched it in my own style, and while talking about baseball with (Lee) Jae-hyun at the hotel, Jae-hyun asked me to watch Yanagita’s video.” “I said it’s good to just watch it for reference, so I watched it before going to bed, and I think it’s very cool and he has a good full swing. I can’t do it right away, but I’m just trying to get the feel of it. I tried to copy his form, but he has his own thing, so I’m just watching his timing in slow motion,” he smiled.

Even in the latter stages of his career, Kim Young-woong is an indispensable infield resource for Samsung. The fans are also showing their unwavering support. “I always have the mindset of learning, and there are many good seniors on the team, so I want to learn well,” he said.