“I prepared to make the modified batting form my own in the off-season.”
Kim Do-young (20, KIA Tigers), a baby tiger who suffered last year, shed a lot of sweat during the off-season. He modified his batting form and became an opportunity to mature mentally.
Trial match again. Kim Doyoung is flying high. Last year, he became the best batting champion in the exhibition game, but he left regret in the regular league. In his second year, he honed his teeth to avoid repeating the failure and is showing off a more powerful bat.스포츠토토
On the 15th, Kim Do-young played the first hitter shortstop in the 2023 KBO League exhibition game expedition with Kiwoom Heroes held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, and hit 2 hits in 4 at bats, 1 walk, 2 RBIs, 2 runs, and a solo home run. Thanks to Kim Do-young’s performance, KIA won 6-2 and won 2 consecutive wins after 1 loss.
KIA had high expectations for rookie Kim Do-young last season. In the rookie draft, attention was focused on his growth potential as he was selected over outstanding pitching staff. Evaluations followed that his potential was limitless, such as his quick feet and sophisticated strikes, enough to be evaluated as “post Lee Jong-beom.”
Last year, he was absent from the first team camp due to the confirmation of a novel coronavirus infection (Corona 19). Nevertheless, in the exhibition game, he seemed to be making a reservation for the rookie king in advance, ranking first in batting average (0.432), most hits (19), and on-base percentage (0.432).
However, as the season began, it suffered ups and downs. He struggled with a batting average in the early 20% range until June, and showed a sense of hitting that seemed to settle down to some extent after July, but unfortunately finished with a batting average of 0.237 in the final season.
Since he failed to participate in the spring camp prior to his debut season, there were many evaluations that he was not ready to spend a season. It was all the more disappointing because his hitting in the demonstration game was so good.
In the spring camp, under the trust of KIA coach Kim Jong-guk, he was tested as a leadoff, going back and forth between shortstop and third baseman. At the time of the second camp in Okinawa, Japan, coach Kim said, “The quality is good. I have to go to the leadoff, and the team will be much better.” He also has a strong personality. He actively seeks advice from his coaches and seniors. This year, if there are no injuries, he will do better than last year.”
From the beginning of this demonstration game, the hitting feeling is hot. In the away game against the Hanwha Eagles on the 13th, he played the role as the number one hitter more than 100% while alternately taking on third baseman and shortstop. In the first inning, he scored 2 hits, 1 RBI and 1 run in 4 at-bats, starting with a solo shot from the lead batter against Felix Pena. The team lost 1-6, but Kim Do-young proved his potential by creating an RBI on his own.
The next day, he took turns playing shortstop and third baseman as the first hitter and scored 1 hit and 1 RBI in 4 at-bats, giving the team victory. He showed his ability as a solver by raising the ball, and played the best leadoff role by getting on base three times in five at-bats.
It is still too early to conclude. There’s no law saying it shouldn’t be a repeat of last season. However, Kim Do-young became more mature through last year’s failure. He seemed to have realized how to break out of the sluggishness, saying, “I’m going to start in the beginning, so even if it doesn’t work, there’s something I did last year, so I don’t think I’ll fall deeply into it.” This is why smiles naturally spread on the faces of KIA fans looking at the more mature baby tiger.