'Kim Tae-wan → Lee Yong-gyu' Only Two Hitting Coaches Depart, Kiwoom Registers Coach Jang Young-seok "For Now, This Is the Plan" [Gocheok Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Although the season has not yet reached the halfway point, two coaches have already departed. Both left the hitting department, making the vacancy even more significant.

On the 14th, ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game against the Hanwha Eagles to be held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, Kiwoom announced the registration of infielder Eo Jun-seo and coach Jang Young-seok (36).

Lee Yong-gyu (41), who served as a playing coach in charge of the hitting department, expressed his intention to step down from his coaching role after causing a drunk driving accident on the 12th. The club accepted this, creating a vacancy in the coaching staff.

Kiwoom began the season with a nine-member first-division coaching staff, but on the 21st of last month, hitting coach Kim Tae-wan suddenly left the team due to personal reasons, followed by the disgraceful retirement of playing hitting coach Lee Yong-gyu.

Coach Jang Young-seok joined the team on the 13th but could not enter the dugout due to an administrative error that prevented his registration.

The coaching staff's situation is not comfortable. Nevertheless, the team is expected to continue in this arrangement for the time being. Manager Seol stated, "We have decided to continue the season in this manner for now," and explained, "Coach Jang Young-seok will be with the first division, while in the minor league, manager Oh Yoon and coach Park Byung-ho will work together."

The team remains in last place with a record of 25 wins, 40 losses, and 1 draw, still below a .400 winning percentage. Riding a two-game winning streak, they are aiming to escape last place by surpassing the Lotte Giants, who are 0.5 games ahead, with a victory today.

Kiwoom lined up Seo Geon-chang (second baseman), Choi Ju-hwan (first baseman), Keston Hiura (designated hitter), Kim Geon-hee (catcher), Park Chan-hyuk (right fielder), Yeo Dong-wook (third baseman), Eo Jun-seo (shortstop), Park Soo-jong (center fielder), and Won Seong-jun (left fielder) for the lineup. Kenny Rosenberg will start as the pitcher.

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*This content was translated by AI.