Why does KIA manager Lee Beom-ho use the '37-year-old' veteran as a pinch hitter? → There was a definite reason.

*This content was translated by AI.

He has now become a 16-year veteran in professional baseball. Yet, there is still a player who remains on the 1st-team roster and enjoys the manager's trust: none other than Ko Jong-wook (37).

This season, the KIA Tigers outfield is primarily configured with Kim Ho-ryeong in center field, while Castro and Na Sung-beom are positioned at the corners, with Park Jae-hyun also frequently deployed.

Alongside them, Park Jung-woo and Ko Jong-wook are also listed on the KIA outfield roster.

Ko Jong-wook was selected in the third round as the 19th overall pick by Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom Heroes) in 2011 and made his professional debut that same year. He then played for SK Wyverns (now the predecessor of SSG Landers) and SSG Landers before joining KIA starting in the 2022 season.

Ko Jong-wook played in 114 games during the 2023 season, 28 games in the 2024 season, and 46 games in the 2025 season. While his playing opportunities have gradually decreased, he has not been completely overlooked by the manager. He continues to play alongside younger teammates in the 1st team, vying for playing time.

This season, after being called up to the 1st team on the 4th, Ko Jong-wook has remained with the 1st team. He has not received many opportunities. In six games played, he recorded a batting average of 0.167 (6 at-bats, 1 hit), 1 RBI, 1 stolen base, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.167, an on-base percentage of 0.444, an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.611, a batting average with runners in scoring position of 0.333, and a pinch-hitting batting average of 0.250.

During the three-game series against Doosan last weekend, he had one plate appearance on the 18th and another on the 19th. Although he did not record a hit, he stepped up as a pinch hitter in every situation with runners on base and swung the bat.

KIA manager Lee Beom-ho explained Ko Jong-wook's use as a pinch hitter, stating, "When we feel there is a situation where a hit absolutely must come out, we send (Ko) Jong-wook in as a pinch hitter," expressing firm trust.

The manager continued, "In fact, I would like to start him occasionally, but Park Jae-hyun is performing so well right now. Also, Jong-wook is the type of player who performs best when coming in as a pinch hitter. He doesn't hit well when starting. (Laughs) So, after resting fully, he is the best player to deliver in a single at-bat. He seems to perform well in the most critical situations, at the right timing to get a hit, especially when tension is high in the latter part of the game. That is why we use him in those moments," reaffirming his confidence.

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*This content was translated by AI.