'Trade' Son Ah-seop finally explodes with his first home run! → Could he seize a sudden call-up opportunity to the first division? The manager is also closely watching his outstanding performance in the Futures League: "He is continuously improving."

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan Bears' Son Ah-seop (38) finally hit his first home run on the Futures League stage. Will he be able to return to the first division based on his outstanding performance in the Futures League? The manager is also keeping a close watch.

On the 13th, Son Ah-seop started as the designated hitter for the third time in the 2026 Medihill KBO Futures League match against the Sangmu team held at Bears Park in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province. He recorded 3 hits in 3 at-bats (1 home run), 4 RBIs, 2 runs scored, and 2 walks, achieving a 3-on-base game.

Son Ah-seop's home run came in the bottom of the first inning. With leadoff batter Jeon Da-min reaching base on a second baseman's error, followed by Kim Jun-sang reaching base on a walk, there was a no-out, first-and-second base situation. Son Ah-seop stepped up to the plate. Against starting pitcher Choi Hyun-seok, he launched a three-run shot over the center field wall.

This was the moment Son Ah-seop hit his first home run of the year in the Futures League. But this was not the end. In the second inning, he added an RBI with a ground ball to the second baseman. In the fifth and sixth innings, he drew walks respectively, completing his 3-on-base game. In the eighth inning, he was retired on a fly ball to the center fielder.

After finishing the game today, Son Ah-seop's season statistics in the Futures League stand at 14 games played, with a batting average of 0.278 (36 at-bats, 10 hits), 1 home run, 4 doubles, 8 RBIs, 7 runs scored, 8 walks, 5 strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.472, and an on-base percentage of 0.409.

Son Ah-seop was removed from the first division roster ahead of the Jamsil Samsung Lions match on the 29th of last month. Although he put on a new Doosan uniform, he failed to produce any significant results. Manager Kim Won-hyeong of Doosan consistently gave him opportunities, but he ultimately could not find his form.

Before being removed, Son Ah-seop had recorded the following statistics in 12 games played on the first division stage this season: a batting average of 0.111 (36 at-bats, 4 hits), 1 home run, 1 double, 4 RBIs, 5 runs scored, 4 walks, 9 strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.222, an on-base percentage of 0.195, an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.417, and a batting average with runners in scoring position of 0.125.

After being sent down to the second division, Son Ah-seop has been consistently playing in games. Starting with the Goyang Heroes match on April 30, he faced the Hanwha Eagles from the 2nd to the 4th, the Ulsan Whales from the 6th to the 8th, and the SSG Landers Futures team on the 9th and 10th. And in today's game, he showcased his good form against Sangmu.

The manager is also closely watching Son Ah-seop. Manager Kim Won-hyeong of Doosan, when asked about Son Ah-seop ahead of the match against the KIA Tigers held at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field on the 12th, stated, "(Son) Ah-seop has been down for about two weeks now. I have heard that he is continuously improving. However, we are still receiving reports on his physical condition from the second division." He added, "I know that his current batting pace and balance are improving."

Meanwhile, Son Ah-seop put on the Doosan uniform via a trade on April 14. At that time, the Doosan organization executed a trade to receive Son Ah-seop in exchange for pitcher Lee Gyo-hoon and 150 million won in cash from Hanwha.

A Doosan organization official explained the background of acquiring Son Ah-seop via trade, stating, "It was a trade to strengthen the team's lineup. Son Ah-seop is a veteran batter with experience that stands out in the league. We understand that his current skills possess sufficient competitiveness. We expect not only his precision at the plate but also his role as a clubhouse leader from Son Ah-seop."

Son Ah-seop, who could not find a team in February, appeared on the program 'Baseball Legend Im Chan-kyu' that was broadcast at the time, honestly and openly sharing his inner thoughts. At that time, Son Ah-seop said, "Honestly, I truly have confidence. Having played for three teams, I have experienced many younger players rising up. There are many talented younger players, but frankly, it is not yet overwhelming. If I feel overwhelmed in competition with those younger players, I will need to prepare for the next (retirement)."

Will Son Ah-seop be able to find his batting form perfectly in the second division and return to the first division? If Son Ah-seop can only find his old form, it is expected to be a great boost for Doosan.

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*This content was translated by AI.