"I put it all in."
The Kia Tigers players held their final practice on the eve of the opening game at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 21st. At 10 a.m., they conducted a safety ritual, followed by training in defense, batting, and base running for the position players, while the pitchers participated in catch. Ace James Naile, who is set to start the opening game, spent time relaxing with teammates over snacks after the safety ritual.
The biggest concern was the opening day roster. Among the players participating in the practice, there were familiar faces that fans welcomed. The pitching staff notably had no significant changes from last year's opening roster. However, the position players saw some changes from last year. Infielder Yun Do-hyun, who participated in spring camp, and rookie outfielder Park Jae-hyun, who was called up during the exhibition games, were among them. Manager Lee Beom-ho, who was watching the players' training, smiled and noted, "I decided to include all in the roster and keep an eye on them."
Among them, the player who felt overwhelmed was Yun Do-hyun. For the first time in four years since his debut, he made it onto the opening day roster. He joined the team alongside his high school rival Kim Do-young, who was the first overall pick in 2022, but was unable to start with the first team for three consecutive years due to injuries, having to instead start his career in the rehabilitation or second teams.
As a rookie, he ended his season due to a fractured right hand metacarpal after colliding with Kim Do-young while handling a batted ball during an exhibition game in March 2022. In the 2023 season, he suffered hamstring injuries twice, leading to another season-ending situation. At the end of the hot-hitting camp in 2024, he was sidelined due to a side strain and missed the exhibition games, and during the return rehearsal game, he sustained metacarpal fractures in his left middle finger and ring finger, keeping him out of the first half of the season.
He made an impression by being called up at the end of last season, posting a batting average above .400 and hitting home runs. To make Yun Do-hyun a regular player, Manager Lee took him to the spring camp and guided him through the process. He trained across all infield positions to utilize him as a super utility player. Although his batting struggled during the exhibition games and he was hampered by a cold, he was still included in the opening roster, indicating that he had done his best.
Eighteen-year-old Park Jae-hyun made the roster solely based on his skills. Although he started the spring camp in the second team, he showed outstanding batting and base running abilities, earning a call-up during the exhibition games. Without being intimidated, he displayed precise hitting above .400 and stealing capabilities, as well as impressive defensive skills in center field. Manager Lee noted Park's base running skills in creating infield hits and selected him for the roster.
He also had a game during the exhibition where he recorded three hits. He successfully stole two bases, showcasing his sharp sense by not missing the opponent's gaps and advancing to the next base. Manager Lee praised him, saying, "He has the speed to hit ordinary ground balls from the left side and turn them into hits. He also showcased his stealing ability. He is the player we are looking for," and he did not hesitate to include him in the opening roster.
Of course, Manager Lee also hopes for the catfish effect. Players get stimulated when there are competitors. The team's competitiveness can naturally increase. It is not a time to be complacent just because one made the opening roster. Typically, the first and second games of the opening season exclude the 3rd to 4th starting pitchers from the roster, allowing for more flexibility in utilizing position players. When the starters come back next week to pitch, someone will have to be removed. The consecutive opening games will serve as another testing ground. Still, the fact that they are utilized as part of the first team this year gives the opening day roster a unique significance.
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