KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho is silently watching Na Sung-bum (35) remain silent. Na only started this season on April 28. He injured his hamstring during the exhibition game, and failed to join the opening entry. Kia was worried about having an emergency due to the departure of the main batter, but it held out very well until Na Sung-bum returned. As of Thursday, Kia ranks first with 22 wins and 12 losses in this season’s record of 0.647. It is trailing the second-ranked NC Dinos (21 wins and 13 losses), but the team has produced better-than-expected results under the leadership of a novice coach.먹튀검증
In the four games, Na had only one hit from eight times at bat (batting average 0.125). He struck out four and walked two. KIA fans who expected Na to hit a home run with cheerful swing would feel regretful. As Na is a batter who can expect 20 to 30 home runs every year, his silence may feel unfamiliar.
When Na returned from injury last year, he blasted as if he had been waiting. Due to injury to his calf ahead of the season, he was able to play his first game of the season only in June, when he recorded a batting average of 0.365 (81 hits in 222 times at bat), an on-base percentage of 0.427 with an on-base percentage of 0.671, 18 homers and 57 RBIs in 58 games. Although the season was out due to a ruptured right hamstring in mid-September, Na’s strong impression in 58 games remains strong.
His batting pace has been slower this year than last year, but Lee did not worry. When asked if Na’s batting timing seems to be slow, Lee said, “(B) Sung-bum himself is a friend who hits at a late timing. If you take a month off and bat, of course, that’s possible. He is a friend who can gradually change his appearance at once again. We also cannot tell when he will get better in his condition. He can go fast or late. If he plays with the players, I think he will come up within a few games.”
Na Sung-bum has been struggling with his hamstring, so he is now focusing on hitting as a designated hitter. If he starts to play defense together, he will be able to warm up more and produce better results at bat. The defense plan is to start next week.
“Until this week, Na will play as a designated hitter or substitute. From next week, I will talk with (B) Sung-bum again and proceed. I think I will be able to play defense once next week or so. I don’t think I want to advance that time soon. You have to be able to play and hold on to it. Sung-bum is important in your team. I hope no situations that could cause problems will happen. If I say perfectly that I think I can play defense, I will talk to (Choi) Hyung-woo. When he gets tired physically, he will have to play defense. For now, I am thinking about (Na’s return to defense) around the end of next week,” he said.
KIA’s batting lineup has held on well even while Na was away. KIA ranks first in all batting indicators with its team batting average of 0.296, 39 homers, 193 RBIs and an OPS of 0.827. Only its home runs are tied with SSG Landers. If Na Sung-bum recovers, KIA will be able to gain more momentum and begin to solidify its lead.
Na remained silent until the game against the Hanwha Eagles in Gwangju on Thursday. He started as the fourth designated hitter and had no hit in four times at bat, with only two strikeouts. While Hanwha starter Ricardo Sanchez gave up just three hits during seven innings, Na did not produce good batting performance. All of the hits he hit twice were ground balls to the second base.
Manager Lee believes that as Na Sung-bum, he will be able to come back as Na Sung-bum that everyone knew soon. With Kia losing two consecutive games, Kia can regain momentum only when Na Sung-bum survives in the central lineup.