We will always make sure that we can play 100% of the roles that are helpful to the team.
Samsung Lions outfielder Kim Hyun-joon (22) started as the third batter and right fielder in a practice game against the Yomiuri Giants in the Japanese professional baseball league at Naha Cellular Stadium in Okinawa, Japan at 1 p.m. on the 18th.유흥알바
Samsung lost to the Yomiuri Giants 3-11, but Kim Hyun-joon displayed stellar performance. Kim had one hit (two doubles) and three RBIs in four times at bat on the day. Since Samsung scored three points on the day, all of Samsung’s goals came from Kim’s hands.
One thing to note is that he has only one hit, but three RBIs. Kim made an RBI single with a grounder, with runners on the second and third bases with one out, in the top of the first inning, and another grounder, with runners on the second and third bases with one out, in the third inning. He intentionally made a runner by pulling all of them with grounder to the second base. In the top of the fifth inning, he called home Kim Ji-chan, who was at the second base with a cool double, with runners on the second base with two outs.
After the game, Kim said, “I think all the players played their roles, including sacrifice hit, base hit, and maneuvering. Overall, I think the team’s performance was good,” adding, “My role in the game was to score runs. I think I did well. I will continue to do my best to play roles that are helpful to my team.”
Not only RBI productivity but also unfamiliar defense in right field was fine. Kim Hyun-joon, who played center field in his team until last season, will move to right field this season. Samsung coach Park Jin-man is planning a system under which left fielder Koo Ja-wook, center fielder Kim Sung-yoon, and right fielder Kim Hyun-joon will play this season.
Kim Hyun-joon said, “There is a difference in the speed of the ball compared to the center fielder. I am adapting a lot through defense training and games.”
Many Japanese baseball fans came to the stadium to cheer for Yomiuri, Japan’s most prestigious baseball team. However, a small number of Korean fans also came to the stadium to cheer for Samsung players.
Kim Hyun-joon said, “Many Yomiuri fans came to the stadium. Yomiuri fans are amazing, but I felt once again that Samsung fans are the best. I want to meet Samsung fans as soon as possible.”
Kim started the season late due to injury during exhibition games last season. However, he returned quickly and recorded a batting average of 0.275 with 119 hits, three homers, 46 RBIs and 62 runs scored in 109 games. His pace was not so bad that he was mentioned as a substitute for Lee Jung-hoo at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Although he was not able to board the Asian Games, he received a thick gift by finishing his annual salary contract at 140 million won, a 75% increase from 60 million won last year.
With a fresh start to right field this season, let’s look forward to Kim Hyun-joon’s 2024.
Meanwhile, Samsung will take a day off on the 19th and play a practice game against Hanshin at Kinoza Stadium in Okinawa on the 20th.