"Batting Average in Scoring Position 0.000, Strikeout King, No Home Runs" Doosan and KT and Kiwoom, Foreign Hitter Dilemma

*This content was translated by AI.

For each team in professional baseball, the most desired role for foreign batters is that of a "clutch hitter" who delivers a decisive blow during scoring opportunities. However, what if they fail to perform under pressure, repeatedly striking out or even failing to hit a home run? This is the actual dilemma faced by the Doosan Bears, KT Wiz, and Kiwoom Heroes at the start of the 2026 KBO League season.

Doosan is deeply concerned about the critical absence of Daz Cameron (28). As of the 16th, Cameron has hit the most home runs on the team with three, demonstrating his power-hitting ability. However, his RBI count stands at just six. In 18 opportunities with runners in scoring position (runners on second base or higher) this season, he recorded no hits, drawing one walk and being hit by one pitch, while grounding into three double plays. His batting average in scoring position is 0.000.

Strikeouts are also frequent. Moreover, 13 of the 19 strikeouts occurred with a runner on base. With the heart of the lineup, particularly the foreign hitters, retreating without a fight at critical moments, it inevitably had a negative impact on the team's morale. Doosan manager Kim Won-hyeong said about Cameron, "For foreign players, it is difficult to suddenly change their approach by telling them 'do this' or 'do that.' I think we need to give them opportunities and see how they perform."

KT is concerned about the recent batting slump of foreign player Sam Hilliard (31). Hilliard has recorded no hits in five consecutive games since the match against Doosan on the 11th. In 21 plate appearances, he has drawn three walks and struck out eight times.

Hilliard delivered a spectacular debut on the 28th against the LG Twins in the season opener, recording three hits and three RBIs, including a two-run home run. However, his batting average gradually declined, eventually plummeting to 0.194 (12 hits in 62 at-bats), falling below the .200 mark.

He has hit three home runs and driven in 11 runs, doing a decent job, but his 22 strikeouts are the most among all batters in the KBO League. He has surpassed Hanwha Eagles' No Si-hwan (21 strikeouts) of the Futures League to take the dishonorable top spot. His batting average with runners in scoring position is also low at 0.211 (4 hits in 19 at-bats).

For KT, which has already lost Ahn Hyun-min and Heo Kyung-min to injuries, Hilliard's poor performance has inevitably come as a further blow.

Initially, there were no great expectations for his power-hitting ability. However, no one anticipated that the foreign player's home run report would be delayed this much.

This is the story of Kiwoom's Trenton Brooks (31). He recorded 37 games and one home run in Major League Baseball in the United States, and played 779 games in the minor leagues, hitting 748 hits and 88 home runs. When announcing the acquisition of Brooks, Kiwoom introduced him as "a middle-to-long-range hitter with good plate vision."

Brooks has primarily been used as the leadoff hitter but recently has taken on the role of the cleanup hitter in the heart of the lineup. He has 17 hits, tying him with Lee Ju-hyung for first place on the team, but his power hitting is lacking. He has only five doubles and no home runs. His slugging percentage stands at just 0.349.

Seol Jong-jin, the Kiwoom manager, said, "Brooks has a quick swing and the ability to produce doubles," and added, "Since he hit double-digit home runs in a single season in the minor leagues, extra-base hits will naturally follow," continuing to express his expectations.

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*This content was translated by AI.