*This content was translated by AI.
Samsung Lions outfielder Kim Ji-chan (25) declared a more aggressive base run in 2026 season. He expressed his determination to become a catalyst for his team's victory by reviving his mobility, which was somewhat slowed down in the 2025 season.
Kim Ji-chan sweated during his first base running training session at the Samsung Spring Camp currently held in Guam. Kim Ji-chan, who is likely to be mainly deployed as a table setter, cited the core of the training as "basic" and "lead width." Last season, Kim Ji-chan blamed himself, saying that his movement on the pedestal was not as good as before. To compensate for this, coach Lee Jong-wook, who is in charge of Samsung's base running this season, rolled up his sleeves himself following last season.
Kim Ji-chan said through the Samsung club, "Last year, we didn't have much lead overall. "Today, I focused on practicing the basics and timing the skip movements," he said. "Coach Lee Jong-wook advised me to set a stronger and stronger timing in skip movements," he said, explaining the training.
In fact, the 2025 season was a year of deep regret for Kim Ji-chan. Due to injuries and poor condition, he played only 90 regular league games, the fewest in his career. His batting average was not bad at 0.281 (89 for 317), but he had no home runs and 23 RBIs. The OPS (On-base plus slugging) was 0.686 . Above all, the injury was a big drag. It has been listed three times only on the injured list in the 2025 season. As a result, he failed to make full use of his specialty, "fast feet."
Kim Ji-chan said of the 2025 season, "I was personally very disappointed, and it is true that there was little movement on the floor." Regarding this season's goal, he said, "First of all, you have to not be sick. "The first thing is to play as many games as possible without getting hurt," he stressed.
He also did not forget that his performance is directly related to the team's performance. "I have to move a lot on the floor to help the team," Kim Ji-chan said, adding, "I will actively shake the opponent to contribute to the victory this year."
This season, Samsung virtually pressed the "Winnow" button as Choi Hyung-woo (43) joined the team. Analysts say it is close to winning the championship by protecting virtually all of its power. In particular, the role of Kim Ji-chan, the first or second batter, is expected to be very important as Choi Hyung-woo is likely to be placed in the fifth or sixth batting order.
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*This content was translated by AI.
