Entering his 13th year as a pro, Ha has recorded a batting average of 0.286 with one home run and 10 RBIs in 43 games and a batting average of 0.726. From the game against the LG Twins in Jamsil on April 28 to the game against the KIA Tigers in Daejeon on August 2, he continued to have hits in five consecutive games.메이저놀이터
In the first half of the year, Ha did not meet expectations. Ha was away for two months due to a hamstring injury in early April. He has not displayed remarkable performance since returning to the team. Ha recorded 15 hits in 29 games and 64 at-bats for a batting average of 0.234 with four RBIs in the first half. Meanwhile, existing infielders including Lee Do-yoon and Hwang Young-mook played shortstop.
However, Ha found a breakthrough after entering the second half of this year, and garnered three hits in the game against LG on April 28, boosting his batting performance. Ha has had multi hits in four consecutive games until the game against the KT Wiz in Suwon on April 1, contributing to his team’s seven consecutive wins. Ha’s performance in the second half of this year was 15 hits in 41 at-bats for 14 games, a batting average of 0.366, one homer and six RBIs.
The head coach also expressed satisfaction over Ha’s hard work. “It’s time for Ha to do well. I saw him practice with great heartache, but I took it seriously (in practice),” manager Kim Kyung-moon said ahead of the 13th game of this season against the KIA Tigers of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on Sunday.
He then noted Ha’s attitude, saying, “Even if (Ha Joo-seok) can’t go to the game, he is following hard without showing it. There were times when it didn’t go as well as he wanted, but he is showing how he practices with his heart.”
If Ha finishes the 2024 season without any major variables including injury or slump, he will be eligible to become a free agent. As such, it is important not only for the team but also for the players to spend the second half of the season.
Coach Kim encouraged Ha Joo-seok, saying, “He is doing his part very well so that he can’t be seen. I think this is the most important time because (from the player’s point of view) we are about to become an FA. As a coach, I hope that the player who has struggled so far will do better.”