[Official] 'Finally' Hanwha's Kang Baek-ho selected as first-ever KBO League May Monthly MVP 'First Hanwha hitter to win since Noh Si-hwan, three years later'

*This content was translated by AI.

Kang Baek-ho (27), a power hitter representing the Hanwha Eagles, has been named the May Monthly MVP of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League. This marks the first time Kang Baek-ho has received the honor of Monthly MVP in the KBO League.

The KBO stated, "Kang Baek-ho, who scored a total of 54.29 points with 22 votes (62.9%) out of 35 total votes from the media panel and 207,232 votes (45.7%) out of 453,247 fan votes, was selected as the May Monthly MVP, surpassing KIA's Hwang Dong-ha, who recorded a total of 17 points with 6 media votes and 76,373 fan votes."

Kang Baek-ho captured attention throughout May with his hot bat. In 23 games played, he posted a batting average of 0.424, 39 hits, 8 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 21 runs scored. He recorded an on-base percentage of 0.495 and a slugging percentage of 0.783.

He swept the major batting categories. He ranked first in RBIs and slugging percentage, and second in on-base percentage, batting average, and hits. He also tied for second in home runs and fourth in runs scored, leading the Hanwha lineup. As of June 7, he is leading the season RBI race alone with 61 RBIs, showcasing his hot hitting form.

Kang Baek-ho's selection as Monthly MVP is a personal first. It has been about a year since a Hanwha player, Ponce, won the MVP for March-April 2025, and about three years since a Hanwha hitter, Noh Si-hwan, won the MVP in July 2023.

Kang Baek-ho, selected as the May MVP, is scheduled to receive a trophy and a cash prize of 3 million won. Additionally, with sponsorship from Shinhan Bank, a donation of 2 million won in the player's name will be delivered to his alma mater, Seoul Lee Soo Middle School.

Meanwhile, Kang Baek-ho has posted outstanding statistics in 54 games this season: a batting average of 0.333 (70 hits in 210 at-bats), 12 home runs, 15 doubles, 61 RBIs, 35 runs scored, 28 walks, 48 strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.576, an on-base percentage of 0.410, an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.986, and a batting average with runners in scoring position of 0.455.

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*This content was translated by AI.