'Effect of going to the minor league → 2 home runs, .304 batting average' Kim Jae-hwan makes first left fielder start after transfer... Manager: "Swing has become more aggressive" [Incheon field]

*This content was translated by AI.

He has completely changed since returning from the minor leagues. Kim Jae-hwan (38, SSG Landers) will make his first start as a left fielder after his transfer, accompanied by a revitalized bat.

On the 15th, Kim Jae-hwan will start as the fifth hitter and left fielder in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game against the LG Twins at Incheon SSG Landers Field.

Kim Jae-hwan, who signed a two-year, 2.2 billion won contract with SSG last winter, fell into a severe slump, with his batting average dropping to .110 before visiting the minor leagues, after which he became a completely different hitter.

He started in 6 of 7 games; in the games where he appeared as a pinch hitter, he reached base via a walk, and in the remaining games, he recorded hits. Earlier, he hit 2 home runs and drove in 10 runs in 24 games. Since his return, he has exploded in 6 starts, posting a .304 batting average (23 at-bats, 7 hits), 2 home runs, and 7 RBIs.

On the 14th, in an away game against KT Wiz, he hit a three-run home run, contributing to the team's victory. Before the game, Manager Lee Sung-yong met with reporters and recalled Kim Jae-hwan's home run from the previous day, saying, "That was really significant. I worried a lot about the batting order the day before. Usually, we set the batting order after the game, but yesterday I went back to the hotel and thought about it alone a lot." He added, "It seems like swapping Eredia and Jae-hwan was a brilliant move. Because of that, Eredia drove in 2 runs, and then Jae-hwan was able to hit a home run. I thought today's game would be resolved. I think it was a good call."

The assessment is that he has definitely changed. Manager Lee stated, "His swing itself has become more aggressive. Before, it felt like he was checking the pitch and then hitting, but since returning from the minor leagues, he starts the swing and then makes a judgment. So even if he swings and misses, he is swinging with the point in front, which led to extra-base hits. I think if he gets one or two hits, his confidence will only grow."

He continued, "And since coming up, he has become a bit brighter. It feels like he has cooled his head and let go of things, so I expect him to continue improving."

SSG constructed its lineup for the day as Park Sung-han (shortstop)-Jeong Jun-jae (second baseman)-Choi Jeong (third baseman)-Guillermo Eredia (designated hitter)-Kim Jae-hwan (left fielder)-Choi Ji-hoon (center fielder)-Oh Tae-gon (first baseman)-Jo Hyung-woo (catcher)-Kim Chang-pyeong (right fielder). Starting pitcher Hiramoto Kojiro will take the mound.

This marks his first defensive appearance since the transfer, intended to give Eredia rest. Manager Lee explained, "Yesterday, Eredia collided with (Choi) Ji-hoon, and his thigh got sore. After much deliberation, I decided to give him the designated hitter role today to prevent further injury if he were to play. I also had Jae-hwan play defense. I had told him to prepare for 10 to 20 games, but I held him back until now, and finally, he gets to play today."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.