Samsung Lions pitching coach Jung Min-tae called for key shortstop Lee Jae-hyun and third baseman Kim Young-woong ahead of the three consecutive away games against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul from the 26th to the 28th. We talked hard for a while. Lee Jae-hyun and Kim Young-woong smiled awkwardly but nodded quickly to renew their commitment. What did Chung, a former KBO league legendary pitcher, order.
Lee Jae-hyun said, "I had a mental advice. I was told not to be too naive at the ballpark," adding, "He deliberately said to me, 'Try to act crazy' in a more extreme expression. I'm cautious because it's only my third year, but I'm still going to try to express it positively." Lee Jae-hyun even told coach Chung, "I'll take off my mask."
He then pointed to Kim Young-woong. "My coach told (Kim) Young-woong he looked timid at the ballpark, too. But Young-woong is pretending to be innocent," Lee Jae-hyun said. "He is wearing a mask, and everyone is being fooled."
"My personality might be a little different when I'm with a friend," Kim Young-woong responded. "I used to be an introvert, but my personality changed a little brighter as Lee Jae-hyun kept shooting and joking around with me."
Kim Young-woong also has something to say. "Lee Jae-hyun can't sympathize with people when they say something. He doesn't even try to empathize," Kim said. "When I talk because I'm too excited, I end up saying, 'Oh, okay.' Then the conversation doesn't continue. If you don't want to hear it along the way, you can answer first and end the conversation."
Lee Jae-hyun responded by saying, "It's because you tell a story that is obvious and has the answer. I would ask if I was curious about the next situation, but Kim Young-woong is not fun."
They are roommates. "I have a funny video on social media, so I don't watch it if they send it to me. I ignore them even though they are right next to me," Kim added.
Unlike what is known, does it mean that they are not on good terms or that one person hates the other? Lee Jae-hyun burst into laughter, saying, "I don't joke around with people who don't like it. I keep doing it because (Kim Young-woong's) reaction is fun."
Lee Jae-hyun, a graduate of Seoul High School, joined Samsung in 2022 with the first nomination, and Kim Young-woong, a graduate of Mulgeum High School, received the top pick in the third round of the second round that year. Lee Jae-hyun emerged as the starting shortstop for full-time last year. After the end of the season, he underwent surgery for his left shoulder joint and sequin surgery and rehabilitated quickly. He returned to the first team on Wednesday last week. Kim has been reborn as a starting player this year. He moved to third base while filling Lee's shortstop gap.
They also exchange conversations in the infield during the game. "Honestly, it's good to work together. It's comfortable. I have a lot of fun playing in the game," Kim said with a smile. Lee Jae-hyun said, "He only says obvious things even when he goes out to the ground. I don't know how to react."
"If the ball comes like this, I'll cut it from the front and catch it," Kim Young-woong said. "If the ball floats like this, you call and catch it." Other than that, I don't say much," he said. Lee Jae-hyun shook his hand, saying, "No, it wasn't like this."
They do not have good communications, but they are both contributing to the team's offense and defense. Lee Jae-hyun has a batting average of 0.339 (19 hits from 56 times at bat), two homers, 10 RBIs and 11 runs, a slugging percentage of 0.518 and a 0.406 on-base percentage in 14 games. He played 101 innings as a shortstop in defense.
Kim Young-woong posted a batting average of 0.292 (33 hits in 113 times at bat), seven homers, 18 RBIs and 18 runs, a slugging percentage of 0.540 and a on-base percentage of 0.375 in 30 games. He was responsible for 162 ⅔ innings as a shortstop, and recently 94 innings as a third baseman.
Samsung has won three consecutive games to rank third (18 wins, 1 draw and 12 losses) in the league. If Lee Jae-hyun and Kim Young-woong continue to create synergy, they can aim higher.
BY: 사설토토