'Explosive .500 Batting Average After Call-Up': LG's Long-Time Prospect Song Chan-ui Rouses Yeom Kyung-yeop, Who Says, "It's Giving Starters a Wake-Up Call" [Suwon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) of LG showed signs of delight at the awakening of Song Chan-ui (27, LG Twins), who had long been regarded as a promising prospect.

On the 28th, LG announced its starting lineup ahead of its away game against KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

For the day, LG set its batting order as Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Cheon Seong-ho (third baseman), Austin Dean (first baseman), Moon Bo-kyung (designated hitter), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Park Dong-won (catcher), and Shin Min-jae (second baseman). Lachlan Wells was named the starting pitcher.

It is notable that Song Chan-ui, who has been in hot hitting form recently, has held the No. 5 spot in the lineup for two consecutive games. After graduating from Hwagok Elementary, Seonrin Middle School, and Seonrin Internet High School, Song was selected by LG in the second round, 67th overall, of the 2018 KBO Rookie Draft.

He was once expected to deliver power, even recording the home run champion title in spring training. However, he struggled to make an impact in the first division. His most appearances in the first division last year were 66 games and 166 plate appearances.

With his slump dragging on, expectations for this year were low. He was removed from the opening roster just four days into the season and spent 20 days in the minor league. However, he made his presence felt in the Futures League with a .340 batting average (17 hits in 50 at-bats), seizing an opportunity. As a result, he was given a chance to fill the spot left vacant when fellow power-hitting prospect Lee Jae-won (27) was optioned from the first division.

His performance since then has been positive. In six games after his call-up, Song exploded with a .500 batting average (8 hits in 16 at-bats), two home runs, and six RBIs, becoming a new source of vitality for the LG lineup. Fans welcomed Song Chan-ui's awakening after a long wait, and the manager felt the same way.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop commented on Song Chan-ui's performance, saying, "I believe his experience level from last year was immense. (Song) Chan-ui received a fair amount of opportunities last year, had good experiences, and also tasted failure. Through that, he must have clearly realized what he needs to do."

He continued, "Those experiences ultimately help a player grow to the next level. I believe the wake-up call that his position is becoming narrower with (Lee) Jae-won's arrival has definitely become a plus-alpha."

For LG, which is gradually undergoing retooling in preparation for the aging of its starters, Song Chan-ui's emergence, showing growth even with limited opportunities, is bound to be welcome.

Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop added, "Currently, our starters are set, but resources are being created. As many backup starters emerge, there is certainly a part that gives the existing starters a wake-up call."

He further stated, "I believe the most effective approach is when the competition arises within the team rather than being imposed by the club. If the club (organization) forces it, there is a very high probability of generating resistance. However, when a player feels the wake-up call themselves, there is absolutely no resistance."

Leading with Song Chan-ui, LG will aim to reclaim the top spot against KT, which trails by just 0.5 games. KT has set its batting order as Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Jang Seong-woo (designated hitter), Sam Hilliard (center fielder), Oh Yun-seok (third baseman), Kim Sang-soo (second baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Lee Kang-min (shortstop). Matt Sauer is the starting pitcher.

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*This content was translated by AI.