'Without Ahn Hyun-min,' team batting average dropped from 2nd to 1st place, just 2 games behind the leader. How did KT survive for two months without a right-handed slugger boasting a slugging percentage of 60 percent?

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz, currently engaged in a fierce battle for first place, is about to receive a massive boost. Ahn Hyun-min (23), last year's Rookie of the Year and a representative right-handed slugger of the KBO League, has completed his recovery preparations.

Ahn Hyun-min appeared in both home games against the Samsung Lions 2nd Division team at the 2026 Medihill KBO Futures League held in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do, on the 13th and 14, recording 4 hits in 7 at-bats. This marked his return after two months, following a right hamstring strain sustained while running the bases during a match against the Changwon NC Dinos on April 15.

The injury turned out to be more serious than expected. While Heo Kyung-min (36), who suffered the same hamstring injury on the same day, returned on May 12, it took Ahn Hyun-min nearly a month for the blood pooled in the affected area to dissipate. Consequently, Ahn Hyun-min was not selected for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Even after returning in the match against the Doosan Bears at Jamsil on the 16th, it remains uncertain whether he will be able to play in the outfield.

Of course, simply stepping up to the plate provides a significant boost to KT. In his first full season last year, Ahn Hyun-min was named Rookie of the Year with a batting average of 0.334 (132 hits in 395 at-bats), 22 home runs, 80 RBIs, 7 stolen bases, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.018 in 112 games. Before his injury this year, he was already showcasing MVP potential with a batting average of 0.365 (19 hits in 52 at-bats), 3 home runs, 11 RBIs, an on-base percentage of 0.507, a slugging percentage of 0.654, and an OPS of 1.161 in 14 games.

Fortunately, KT managed to hold its ground even without Ahn Hyun-min. As of the game on the 16th, KT held 38 wins, 1 draw, and 25 losses, securing second place, just two games behind the first-place LG Twins (41 wins, 24 losses). It is impressive that this resilience came from their lineup. KT has long been known as a team with a strong pitching staff and solid defense.

However, this year the team has transformed into a lineup that frequently produces big innings with three or more runs in a single inning. They have recorded 31 games with six or more runs (27 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses), ranking first in the league. Thanks to their explosive lineup, even in games where they collapsed after allowing six or more runs, they secured the most wins alongside Doosan, with a league-best second-place winning percentage (7 wins, 1 draw, 17 losses, .292). They are also tied with the KIA Tigers for the most comeback wins in the league, with 17.

It is remarkable that this performance was maintained during the two months without Ahn Hyun-min. From April 16, when Ahn Hyun-min was unable to play, until June 16, KT led the league in comeback wins with 14 victories. During the same period, they recorded only 7 comeback losses, the fewest in the league.

At the center of this resilience are the three FA players KT signed ahead of this season. The most notable is Choi Won-jun (29), who signed a four-year contract worth up to 4.8 billion won. Choi Won-jun is leading the KT lineup with a batting average of 0.384 (99 hits in 258 at-bats), 5 home runs, 37 RBIs, 56 runs scored, 15 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of 0.458, a slugging percentage of 0.535, and an OPS of 0.993 in 63 games.

Kim Hyun-soo, who joined with a fully guaranteed three-year, 5 billion won contract, has played the role of a problem-solver in the heart of the lineup, recording a batting average of 0.285 (75 hits in 263 at-bats), 5 home runs, 48 RBIs, 32 runs scored, an OPS of 0.755, and a batting average of 0.313 with runners in scoring position in 64 games. Han Seung-taek (32), who was the first to sign a four-year, 1 billion won contract with KT, is protecting the home plate with stable defense and a strong arm. Playing in 51 of 64 games, he has created synergy by allowing existing catcher Jang Sung-woo (36) to focus solely on hitting.

The increased depth, which has sparked fierce competition for starting positions across the entire squad, is also considered a positive factor. A prime example is shortstop Kwon Dong-jin (28). Last year, Kwon Dong-jin received opportunities as a full-time shortstop but failed to maintain his performance throughout the season, finishing with a batting average of 0.225 (61 hits in 271 at-bats) in 123 games.

However, this year, high school rookie Lee Kang-min (19) emerged, pushing Kwon Dong-jin out of his regular starting spot. Kwon played in only 17 games with 18 at-bats during March and April. After a brief period of disappointment, Lee Kang-min also grew tired, creating an opportunity for Kwon Dong-jin. Kwon Dong-jin demonstrated explosive hitting form, batting 0.324 (11 hits in 34 at-bats) in 23 games in May and 0.407 (11 hits in 27 at-bats) in 11 games in June, showcasing a presence in the ninth spot in the lineup comparable to a leadoff hitter.

Regarding this, KT manager Lee Kang-cheol responded, "Through last year's experience, both Dong-jin and I learned a lot. There must be rivals. It doesn't feel entirely good to think this is my seat. Having a rival makes one cherish each at-bat and focus more."

With the already strong lineup now joined by Ahn Hyun-min, who can hit home runs at any time, expectations are high. Manager Lee Kang-cheol also expressed, "We tried not to bring (Ahn) Hyun-min up unless absolutely necessary because there were too few hitters who could hit home runs. Without Hyun-min, everyone only hits singles. With Hyun-min, multi-hit home runs in consecutive at-bats happen, and they hit together occasionally, so it's a pity he's not here. Now, someone will finally break through."

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*This content was translated by AI.