Will KIA Tigers infielder Yoon Do-hyun (21) make the opening roster?
Yoon Do-hyun underperformed in the exhibition games. Manager Lee Bum-ho consistently provided him opportunities from the opening game of the exhibition season. In 5 games, he had 14 at-bats with 1 hit, resulting in a batting average of .071. He struck out 5 times. The single hit was a 2-run double. Then he suddenly caught a cold and ended the exhibition games without appearing.
Since the spring camp in Irvine, California, Yoon has participated in the first team and completed the second camp in Okinawa. The manager assigned him the role of "the fourth infielder." Should any of the regulars, including second baseman Kim Sun-bin, third baseman Kim Do-young, or shortstop Park Chan-ho, falter due to injuries or fatigue, Yoon will start in their place, fulfilling the duties of a super utility player.
It was a determination to bring out Yoon Do-hyun's batting ability. Although there is no position available, the plan was to continue providing him opportunities to increase his versatility and ultimately secure a starting position. He was utilized across second base, third base, and shortstop. His defensive skills also showed gradual improvement, indicating he was meeting the manager's expectations. His speed and ability to steal bases were also noted as advantages.
New foreign hitter Patrick Wisdom also praised Yoon, saying, "The setup is good, and he has strong hitting ability on balls entering the strike zone." He garnered attention for his hitting in the exhibition games but continued to struggle. He showed difficulty in responding to opposing pitchers' breaking balls. This might have been the onset of a hitting cycle decline. Ultimately, he caught a cold. After successfully completing the spring camp and participating in the exhibition games, he may have been exhausted.
Now is the time for a decision. The manager is contemplating the composition of the opening roster. Since the camp, Yoon Do-hyun has been in fierce competition for a backup infield position against Seo Geon-chang, Byeon Woo-hyeok, Park Min, Kim Gyu-seong, and Hong Jong-pyo. Whether or not to include Yoon Do-hyun depends on the decisions of the manager and coaching staff. The manager established the criteria, saying, "The primary focus for backup infielder roles is multi-defensive capability and base running."
The opening two games will allow for two starters among the roster players. From next week’s match against Kiwoom, the official roster will effectively be activated. If Yoon Do-hyun is included, he can showcase his abilities from the start for the first time in four years since his joining the team. He might present fans with a scene of competing on the field alongside his high school rival Kim Do-young. Even if he starts in the second team, it seems likely he will be given opportunities considering the manager's commitment to development.
The manager noted, "It is crucial where to use Yoon Do-hyun. The prerequisite is that he must be able to participate in offense, defense, and base running to make the roster. He has shown both good and poor performance defensively. The same applies to offense. I will make a final judgment in consultation with the coaching staff on how best to use him. He is a player who must continue to grow and is an excellent infielder."
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