“There are not many right-handed hitters… ”
Seonghan Park·Jihoon Choi (SSG), Hyesung Kim·Junghoo Lee (Kiwoom Lee), Baekho Kang (KT), Eunwon Jeong (Hanwha), Jichan Kim·Hyeonjun Kim (Samsung), Seungmin Ko·Kwonsu Ahn·Seongbin Hwang (Lotte).
Among those on the reserve list for the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, most of the players who play as the main players in each team are left-handed hitters. A right-handed hitter who lacks a name as big as a left-handed hitter is about to return from a side pain injury.
LG Twins infielder Lee Jae-won (24) is counting down his return. Lee Jae-won played against the Doosan Bears in the Futures League (2nd team) on the 28th and recorded 1 hit in 3 at-bats and 1 walk. LG coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop met with reporters at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 29th and said, “Lee Jae-won didn’t hit, but he said he was in good shape.”
Lee Jae-won is the hitter who took notice when manager Yeom took office. Although he is only 24 years old, he has the potential to become a large giant with his 192 cm tall physical condition and overflowing power. Director Yeom is also eagerly awaiting his return. Lee Jae-won felt pain in his side during spring camp, but it recurred at the end of the exhibition game and he could not play a single game in this year’s regular season.메이저놀이터
Although his performance this season is nil, he was included in the reserve list for the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games in recognition of his ability to hit 13 home runs last year. Depending on his performance during the remaining month or so, whether or not he will be promoted to the national team will be decided.
However, director Yeom sees a high possibility of Lee Jae-won being selected. Manager Yeom said, “I looked at the players last year, and there are not many right-handed hitters,” predicting that Lee Jae-won is likely to be selected.
Director Yeom served as the National Technical Committee at the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) until just before joining LG. The WBC national team, as well as players who could participate in the Hangzhou Asian Games, were closely examined.
However, it is a variable that only 3 people can be selected per team. Among the pitchers Go Woo-seok and Jung Woo-young, who were also selected for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) from LG last March, are strong candidates, Lee Jae-won should take the remaining seat. There are as many as 17 LG players in the announced preliminary list.
What remains is whether or not Lee Jae-won is active. Will he be able to make a comeback soon and perform well, joining the final list to be announced in June? Attention is focused. et16@sportsseoul.com
