"No Shi-hwan can't hit well." Kang Jung-ho's sharp remark: What's behind the slump of the KBO's most expensive hitter with a .145 batting average?

*This content was translated by AI.

No Shi-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles), who signed a massive contract worth 30.7 billion won over 11 years, has disappeared from the first team. Kang Jung-ho (39), who has transformed into a batting instructor, analyzed the reasons behind No Shi-hwan's slump, which has disappointed fans greatly.

On the 20th, Kang Jung-ho analyzed No Shi-hwan's issues through his YouTube channel, "Kang Jung-ho_King Kang."

Last season, No Shi-hwan had a batting average of 0.260, which was disappointing, but he hit 32 home runs and drove in 101 runs, posting an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.851. This season, however, he has fallen into a severe slump with a .145 batting average (8 hits in 55 at-bats) over 13 games.

He has yet to hit a single home run and, batting mostly in the cleanup spot, has only driven in three runs. His batting average with runners in scoring position is even lower at 0.095. He has drawn only five walks, while striking out 21 times—the most before he was sent to the second team on the 13th.

Analyzing No Shi-hwan's strikeout scenes, Kang Jung-ho explained, "He is struggling to hit high pitches. When he strides, his left shoulder rises too much, which causes his hands to drop. Naturally, he ends up swinging and missing at high pitches frequently."

Secondly, "No Shi-hwan's strength is his ability to hold his left leg steady during the swing," he said. "But looking at his strikeouts this season, his left leg is collapsing. You can see his swing becoming shorter."

Kang Jung-ho then moved to demonstrate directly, saying, "First, I hope his swing becomes a bit smoother. If the hands go too far back, it requires too much force. I wish he would keep his hands a bit forward, relax his strength, and swing with more rhythm and smoothness. "Fastballs at 150 km/h, 120 km/h, and 130 km/h are all different. To handle such pitches flexibly, one must be smooth. He swings fully even with two strikes, which inevitably causes his batting average to drop. Baek-ho's ability to make contact with two strikes looked very good. I think it would be great if he could learn that know-how from Baek-ho."

Next, he said, "When striding, if the left shoulder rises, the hands drop, and he cannot hit high pitches. The knob (end of the bat) and the bat line must align, but if the shoulder rises, he cannot make contact. This difference varies depending on whether the pitch is high or low. Even when he hits the ball, it often results in line drives or ground balls. Because his left shoulder rises, he gets fooled by high pitches, and the probability of missing low pitches increases."

Third, he pointed out the issue of weight transfer. "Last year, his left leg held up well, but this year it often collapses. Because all three of these issues are appearing, he cannot hit well. "If he pays attention to all three of these aspects, I believe he can fully fulfill the role of a cleanup hitter for Hanwha. That is why we signed him, expecting him to fully play that role for Hanwha."

Kang Jung-ho added, "If these three points are well corrected, since it is still early in the season, I believe he can fully revive in the middle and latter parts of the season. If he thinks about this part carefully and makes improvements, he will get better."

Kim Kyung-moon, Hanwha's manager, revealed plans on the 18th: "No Shi-hwan is scheduled to join the first team after finishing a Futures League game on Monday (the 20th). He will practice with the first-team players on Tuesday and Wednesday (21st-22nd) and is expected to be sent back on Thursday (23rd)."

In the Futures League, No Shi-hwan appeared in three games, hitting a hit in each game. With a .231 batting average (3 hits in 13 at-bats), he is not yet satisfied, but since he has time to catch his breath and regroup, expectations are high for him to show signs of revival.

Hanwha will face the LG Twins in a three-game series starting on the 21st. The team suffered a painful defeat in last year's Korean Series. Can the returning No Shi-hwan contribute to the team, which is on a winning streak, by performing well?

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*This content was translated by AI.