'Why Hanwha Ultimately Rejected Him' A Dramatic Turnaround After Trade → Manager Also Praises Him: "He's Finally Showing His Original Form"

*This content was translated by AI.

After spending time readjusting in the minor leagues following a trade, he returned to the first division. And a dramatic turnaround occurred. He posted significantly different statistics, demonstrating a complete revival. The manager spared no praise for the protagonist. This is the story of Doosan Bears' veteran outfielder Son Ah-seop (38).

Doosan Bears manager Kim Won-hyeong held an interview with reporters on the 20th at Jamsil Stadium, where the game against NC Dinos was canceled due to rain.

At this event, Manager Kim said about Son Ah-seop, "If you look at the records before he went down to the minors and after he came back, the difference is clear. In fact, there was a clear reason at the time for him to go to the minors. After the trade, he spent some time with our team, and I felt that he was not in a normal condition that he could be satisfied with."

He continued, "That is when preparation takes place in the minors. Even for veterans, playing in the first division is important, but sometimes they can go to the minors to mentally reset and prepare. Ah-seop is a player with a strong competitive spirit. He prepared well there (in the minors). That is why there is a clear difference from before he went." He spared no praise.

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

As soon as Son Ah-seop donned the Doosan uniform, he left a deep impression by hitting a home run in his first game. However, his slump continued for a long time. Ultimately, on the 29th of last month, Son Ah-seop was removed from the first-division roster ahead of the Samsung Lions game at Jamsil Stadium. At that time, his first-division statistics were: 12 games played, batting average 0.111 (36 at-bats, 4 hits), 1 home run, 1 double, 4 RBIs, 5 runs scored, 4 walks, 9 strikeouts, slugging percentage 0.222, on-base percentage 0.195, OPS (on-base + slugging) 0.417, and batting average with runners in scoring position 0.125.

From the Futures League game against Ulsan Whales on May 8 to the game against Sangmu on the 13th, he hit consecutive hits in four straight games. In particular, he left a strong impression by hitting his first Futures League home run against Sangmu.

Ultimately, Son Ah-seop returned ahead of the Gwangju KIA Tigers game on the 14th. After being called up that day, he started and recorded 1 hit in 3 at-bats. On the 15th and 16th against Lotte at Jamsil, he achieved multi-hit games.

Following a hitless day (4 at-bats) on the 17th, he succeeded in another multi-hit game against NC Dinos on the 19th. In the bottom of the first inning, he retired after a 8-pitch battle with a swinging strikeout. He hit an infield grounder in the third inning and hit a hit to right-center field in the fifth inning. Then in the sixth inning, he drew a walk after a 11-pitch battle. In the eighth inning, he hit a hit to left-center field on the 6th pitch, completing the multi-hit game. Most notably, every time he stepped up to the plate, he displayed his characteristic tenacity and fought stubbornly.

Manager Kim said, "Looking at the recent five games, he likely got a hit in all but one game. And even when he didn't get a hit, there were many times he made solid contact. That is clearly a changed part." He then added, "Looking at Son Ah-seop's career, the appearance he showed when he first came via trade was not (his true self). If you look at it that way, he reportedly didn't play many games even in the minors before the trade. If he had consistently played in minor league games, the bad situation after coming via trade might not have lasted so long. With his physical condition not being perfect, he likely had a strong desire to show what he could do here. Still, now that he has been to the minors, he is swinging his bat, recording foul balls, and watching the pitches. In the game on the 19th, it seemed like Ah-seop's original form was coming out," expressing his expectations.

Doosan has recorded 21 wins, 1 tie, and 22 losses, sitting alone in 6th place in the league. With only one win needed to reach a .500 winning percentage, they will challenge for a four-game winning streak on the 21st at Jamsil against NC, starting with Wes Benjamin. With Son Ah-seop at the center of the recent winning streak, what kind of performance will he show again? Doosan fans' expectations are rising even higher.

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*This content was translated by AI.