'Recent 10-game team batting average of 0.220' — KIA takes drastic measure! '0.152' Yoon Do-hyun starts at leadoff... faces starter Jang Hyun-sik [Gwangju on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

The KIA Tigers, recently plunged into a severe batting slump, have taken drastic measures.

On the 17th, KIA announced its starting lineup for the home game against the LG Twins at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field, which will be part of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season.

On this day, KIA constructed its lineup as follows: Yoon Do-hyun (first baseman), Kim Ho-ryeong (center fielder), Kim Do-young (third baseman), Na Sung-beom (right fielder), Kim Sun-bin (designated hitter), Han Jun-soo (catcher), Park Jae-hyun (left fielder), Park Min (shortstop), and Kim Gyu-seong (second baseman). The starting pitcher is Adam Oller.

In response, LG set its lineup as: Hong Chang-ki (right fielder), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (designated hitter), Moon Bo-kyung (third baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), Moon Sung-ju (left fielder), Cheon Seong-ho (first baseman), Park Dong-won (catcher), and Shin Min-jae (second baseman). The starting pitcher is Jang Hyun-sik.

The most notable aspect is Yoon Do-hyun's start. Yoon Do-hyun is a right-handed batter and right-handed thrower infielder who joined KIA after graduating from Gwangju Ilgo High School, selected in the second round of the 2022 KBO Rookie Draft as the 15th overall pick. While he has been praised for his clear batting talent, he has yet to fully blossom due to injuries each year. This season, he struggled with a 0.152 batting average (5 hits in 33 at-bats) in 13 first-division games and was removed from the first-division roster for the third time on the 6th.

However, the sluggish KIA offense ultimately led to Yoon Do-hyun being called up again. KIA's team batting average over the recent 10 games was 0.229, placing them last in the KBO League for the same period. Their record during that span was also poor at 4 wins and 6 losses. In contrast, after being sent down to the minor league, Yoon Do-hyun hit 0.400 (8 hits in 20 at-bats) in 5 Futures League games, including one double and two home runs, showing improved batting form.

Before the game, KIA manager Lee Beom-ho explained, "Our team's offense has been so poor. We even considered using (Kim) Ho-ryeong at leadoff since he has been hitting well recently, but he seemed to feel the burden of the leadoff spot, so we kept him at second."

He added, "Still, Yoon Do-hyun has an aggressive style and has been hitting well in the Futures League. He is also a player who can push forward when in good condition. We expect him to hit well in the first division, and even if he doesn't perform well, shouldn't we keep sending him out?"

Coincidentally, the opponent is Jang Hyun-sik, who won the championship with KIA two years ago. After moving to LG, Jang Hyun-sik disappointed with lackluster results but has been recognized for his potential as a long reliever and even earned a starting opportunity. Jang Hyun-sik's start marks 2,059 days since his last appearance as a starter for KIA, which was against the KT Wiz in Gwangju on October 27, 2020.

Manager Lee Beom-ho said, "Today is a game we must win unconditionally. I wonder if (Jang) Hyun-sik will throw with grit, but we must break through that. Now that our players are back, I feel it's important not only for us to hit well but also for how we can stop the opposing batters."

He added, "Oller is a very good pitcher, but given the capabilities of LG's current players, I expect an even game. I think we need a strategy of taking runs one by one from the start. We should play baseball by stealing runs one by one with the mindset of winning unconditionally from the beginning, and then immediately bring in our winning relief pitchers after Oller."

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*This content was translated by AI.