A batter who gives a sense of anticipation when stepping to the plate. One of the best batters in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) League and the captain of the professional baseball Samsung Lions, Koo Ja-wook (32).
Koo Ja-wook had a career-high season last year, playing in 129 games, with a batting average of .343 (169 hits in 493 at-bats), 33 home runs, 115 RBIs, 92 runs scored, and 13 stolen bases. He set personal records for most home runs and RBIs in a single season.
He could not participate in any more games and finished the season after injuring the ligaments in his left knee during the second playoff game against the LG Twins. Koo, who has been diligently focusing on rehabilitation training all winter, is working to improve his condition in time for the regular season opener against the Kiwoom Heroes on the 22nd at Daegu Samsung Lions Park.
Koo Ja-wook's bat is hot even in the exhibition games. As of the 11th, he has recorded 3 hits in 7 at-bats for a batting average of .429 with 6 RBIs. Notably, he has shown great concentration in scoring situations, producing runs in four consecutive games.
On the 10th, in a home game against Doosan, he hit a double that struck the top of the right-center fence during a two-out, bases-loaded situation in the fifth inning. The Samsung bench requested a video review, but the original call was not overturned.
On the 11th, he struck again against the Doosan mound. With two outs and runners on first and third in the fifth inning, he stepped to the plate in place of Kim Do-hwan. As Koo entered, cheers erupted from the stands. In a 2B-1S count against Choi Jong-in, he easily made contact with the fourth slider, leading to a hit to center field. The runner on third, Jeon Byung-woo, comfortably scored.
After the game, Koo noted, "Although it was just an exhibition game, I focused on stepping up to the plate in a crucial situation to contribute RBIs, and it seems to have led to a good result."
He added, "With the opener just around the corner, all of our Samsung Lions players are working hard during the exhibition games to elevate their game sense. Everyone is performing well, so it seems we will enter the season without any major issues."
Meanwhile, Koo is expected to handle outfield defense starting from the home game against the LG Twins on the 13th at the earliest. Manager Park Jin-man stated before the game on the 11th, "If the weather is as nice as today, I plan to assign him outfield defense starting from the game on the 13th," adding, "I also plan to use Park Byung-ho as a first baseman."
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