*This content was translated by AI.
Could it be that a native left-handed power hitter who makes Jamsil feel too small has finally arrived at LG Twins? The perennial prospect Song Chan-ui (27) is launching home runs with a terrifying bat speed.
On the 1st, in a regular-season home game against NC Dinos at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League, Song Chan-ui went 1-for-2 with one home run, one hit-by-pitch, two RBIs, and one run scored, leading LG to a 5-1 victory. With this win, LG improved to 18-10 with two consecutive victories, holding onto second place. NC fell to 13-15, moving further away from the .500 winning percentage mark.
It was back-to-back home runs. The day before (April 30), in a game against the Suwon KT Wiz, Song Chan-ui broke LG's three-game losing streak with a massive 129-meter arching home run. He was on fire again today. After reaching base via a hit-by-pitch in his first at-bat, Song repaid the team with an RBI in his second at-bat. The opposing pitcher was NC's starter Natsuki Toda, known for his powerful fastball. In the bottom of the third with two outs and a runner on first, Austin Dean had just launched a leadoff two-run home run to left field, and Moon Bo-kyung drew a walk, setting up an opportunity for Song Chan-ui.
Song Chan-ui picked out a fastball and slider inside from Toda, then connected on a 147 km/h fastball that dipped low inside. At that moment, his bat speed registered at 172.5 km/h according to TrackMan. Song's quickly swung bat sent Toda's pitch straight into the center of the left-field stands. It was his fourth home run of the season, traveling 127 meters.
It was essentially a game-deciding home run. Following that, LG's starting pitcher Anders Tolhurst pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing seven hits, three hit-by-pitches, striking out five, and giving up one run. He was supported by scoreless relief from Kim Jin-seong (⅔ inning), Woo Kang-hoon (one inning), and Jang Hyun-sik (one inning), sealing the victory in 2 hours and 41 minutes.
After the game, Song Chan-ui commented on the home run situation: "When I was in the on-deck circle, I noticed the opposing pitcher's fastball was good. I expected him to throw a fastball in a crucial situation, so I prepared for it. I believe my confident approach to the fastball led to this positive result."
As a result, Song Chan-ui's regular-season statistics now stand at a .438 batting average (32 at-bats, 14 hits), four home runs, 10 RBIs, eight runs scored, four walks and hit-by-pitches (one walk, three hit-by-pitches), six strikeouts, a .500 on-base percentage, a .875 slugging percentage, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.375.
This is still a small sample size of just over 10 games. However, there is reason for LG's organization and fans to be excited. The average distance of Song Chan-ui's four home runs is 124 meters, and all of them were two-run homers with no solo home runs — all coming in clutch situations. Thanks to this, his batting average with runners in scoring position is .429.
When he swings, he hits home runs and extra-base hits, and his power makes even Jamsil feel small. It's impossible not to feel excited. This is exactly the performance fans have been hoping for from Song Chan-ui, the left-handed power prospect who has kept LG fans on edge for a long time.
Song Chan-ui graduated from Hwagok Elementary, Seonrin Middle School, and Seonrin Internet High School before being selected by LG in the second round, 67th overall, of the 2018 KBO Draft. He was once a power prospect with expectations of winning the spring training home run title. However, he struggled to make an impact in the first division. Due to poor defense and a consistently high strikeout rate each year, he did not receive consistent opportunities. As he entered his seventh year since joining the team, one might have expected him to lose heart, but he quietly kept swinging his bat, waiting for his moment.
Eventually, his opportunity arrived. Last year, due to Hong Chang-ki's sudden long-term injury, Song Chan-ui received the most playing time in the first division, with 66 games and 166 plate appearances. Drawing on that experience, he focused even more on contact hitting even after being sent down to the Futures League.
As a result, in 13 Futures League games this year, he posted a .340 batting average (50 at-bats, 17 hits), two home runs, 12 RBIs, eight walks, and nine strikeouts, achieving a slugging percentage of .540 and a more valuable on-base percentage of .417. The organization noticed the improved Song Chan-ui and gave him another chance in the first division just three weeks later. The result so far has been a great success.
Song Chan-ui said calmly, "The manager told me to keep doing what I'm doing well, so I'm trying to stick to the routine I always follow before and after games."
Even with this rare opportunity, his veteran teammates stood firmly by his side to keep him from getting nervous. Song Chan-ui said, "When I step into the game, I have (Park) Hae-min and (Hong) Chang-ki behind me. In front, I have (Oh) Ji-hwan and (Park) Dong-won." He added, "I follow my seniors' lead and focus more every day when I take the field. Having seniors I can rely on helps me concentrate even more," expressing his gratitude.
LG hopes that Song Chan-ui's case will serve as a positive example for other prospects who have grown weary of waiting. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) promised to continue giving Song Chan-ui playing opportunities for some time. Coincidentally, Moon Sung-ju was removed from the first-division roster due to a side muscle injury, creating the opening.
Before the game on the 1st, Manager Yeom said, "(Moon) Sung-ju is not doing well. Rather than staying in that condition, I thought it would be better for him to go down quickly, recover fully, and come back. Also, (Song) Chan-ui is performing well. Since Sung-ju can't rest at a time like this, I plan to give Chan-ui the opportunity during this period."
Song Chan-ui also does not want to miss this moment of receiving fan support at Jamsil Baseball Stadium after a long time. He said, "Today (the 1st) was unusually chilly, as if it were May. However, the fans filled the stadium with their passionate support, giving all the players the strength to push through. I am always grateful for the great support, and I will continue to work hard to show good performances in the future."
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*This content was translated by AI.
