Choi Hyung-woo was sure "Batters are really good → If the season overlaps, it'll be really fun."

*This content was translated by AI.

"Veteran" Choi Hyung-woo (43), who returned to the "Friendly Team" Samsung Lions ahead of the 2026 season, expressed his first feelings after returning with strong confidence in the team's batting lineup. As a result of training with junior batters during the spring camp, he expressed confidence in his excellent batting skills.

According to the Samsung club, Choi Hyung-woo said after completing the Guam spring camp schedule, which lasted until the 8th, "I was worried because I was unfamiliar, but it was much more comfortable than I thought. "There were a lot of coaching staff and players I knew before, and especially thanks to the younger brothers' good followings, I'm adapting quickly and focusing on training," he said.

Choi Hyung-woo returned to Samsung, a "friendly team," on December 3 last year, signing a free agent (FA) contract with a maximum amount of 2.6 billion won, including incentives, for two years. Choi Hyung-woo, who moved to the KIA Tigers after the end of the 2016 season, returned after nine seasons. The Samsung club said, "With the addition of Choi Hyung-woo, destructive power is expected to be added to the existing left-handed batting line with long-shot power such as Koo Ja-wook, Lewin Diaz, and Kim Young-woong. In addition, the club directly explained the background of the recruitment, saying, "The club expects young players in the team to learn the know-how of Choi Hyung-woo, who is showing rusty skills until the age of 42."

That's how much the Samsung club has high expectations. With the recruitment of Choi Hyung-woo, Samsung was immediately evaluated as a "challenge for the championship." In addition to protecting the existing team's power, Choi Hyung-woo joined the team, so it was virtually like pressing the "Winnow" button. Samsung coach Park Jin-man (50) also said, "I have no intention of avoiding mentioning the championship at all. Because they tell us a lot of good stories, our team's skills and power have improved, so they are looking forward to it. I will have such a sweet expectation and I will prepare well for the season," he declared.

During the spring camp, which ran from Jan. 25 to Feb. 8, Choi Hyung-woo admired the potential and skills of Samsung hitters. "If you look at the batter's part that they train together, I didn't know that each player's skills were this outstanding," he said, expressing surprise. "I'm already honestly excited about what kind of performance the players will show this year. If the team's synergy overlaps with this, I think this season will be really fun," he said, expressing expectations.

As a veteran, he also did not forget his meticulous consideration for his juniors. In particular, he expressed his extraordinary affection for Samsung's second-year left-handed outfielder Soo-ho (20). Choi Hyung-woo said, "It is inevitably difficult for a young junior to approach a senior first. So I called (Ham) Su-ho first, talked to him, exercised together, and tried to communicate," he explained.

Soo-ho also said, "I talked a lot with Hyung-woo. He told me to take a long balance when I swing because my legs fall fast when I swing, so there is a greater possibility that the timing will not match. We are focusing on supplementing those areas," he said.

Although the season has not opened, Choi Hyung-woo is already playing a central role in leading the team's "new and old harmony." It was exactly what the club wanted. Daegu fans are paying attention to how Choi Hyung-woo's conviction, who returned to Samsung with not only his skills but also leadership, will bring explosive power to Samsung's batting lineup in the upcoming 2026 season.

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*This content was translated by AI.