KIA Tigers’ big shot prospect, Byun Woo-hyuk (23), is indispensable to the team. He was given a serious job on both sides of the offensive.
Byun Woo-hyuk received great expectations after joining the Hanwha Eagles with the first nomination in the 2019 rookie draft. However, his pro wall was high. He only played 50 games in two seasons, and he had a batting average of 0.246, 4 homers, 10 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.681, failing to reach his full potential.
It was KIA that noticed Byun Woo-hyuk’s potential. Through a trade in November of last year, KIA gave away pitchers Han Seung-hyuk and Jang Ji-soo and brought Byun Woo-hyuk.메이저놀이터
Byun Woo-hyuk quickly melted into the tiger army. He made his presence known by exploding a home run in an evaluation match against the baseball team of the World Baseball Classic (WBC) held at a camp in Arizona, USA.
Byun Woo-hyeok fired a cannon in the demonstration game, and took part in 13 games, recording a batting average of 0.278, 5 RBIs, 4 walks, and an OPS of 0.755.
However, competition for the starting position was inevitable. Hwang Dae-in is at first base, Woo-hyuk Byun’s main position, and he can defend third base, but Kim Do-young and Ryu Ji-hyeok are holding out. Byun Woo-hyuk did not get a chance to participate in the opening game held on the 1st.
However, in the 2nd game of the opening series against Munhak SSG, Byun Woo-hyuk was named in the starting lineup as the 5th batter and first baseman and proved his competitiveness. From his first at-bat, he hit a home run against opposing starter Kirk McCarty and stood at the forefront of suppressing the steamship.
Byun Woo-hyuk then produced an additional hit and carefully looked at the ball and picked out two walks. On this day, Byun Woo-hyuk contributed to the team’s 9-5 victory by performing a batting show with 2 hits in 3 at-bats, 1 home run, 1 RBI and 2 walks. Here, he showed off a sense of stability at first base, and his defense also received a passing score. In the match against Suwon KT on the 4th, when the no game was declared, Byun Woo-hyeok started as the 5th first baseman and scored walks in all 2 at-bats with an excellent starting plan.
KIA coach Kim Jong-guk said of Byun Woo-hyuk, “He has good defensive movements and hits well. Above all, his patience at the plate has improved a lot.” I plan to practice 1st and 3rd base together.”
Currently, KIA has a crack in the infield. Third baseman Kim Do-young, who plays a pivotal role in the offense, suffered a toe fracture and was diagnosed for up to 16 weeks. As a result, Byun Woo-hyuk will alternate with Ryu Ji-hyuk as the starting third baseman. Batting also, as Na Seong-beom was diagnosed with a calf injury for up to 8 weeks, Byun Woo-hyuk should be in charge of one axis in the center of the batting line.
Ahead of the season, Byun Woo-hyuk was close to a backup resource. However, the position of Byun Woo-hyuk, whose potential began to stir, has changed significantly. Now Byun Woo-hyeok is in a position where he has to prove himself on both sides of the offense and offense.