How far does the influence of a 4.8 billion won FA extend! The secret of the ninth batter with a .300 batting average in scoring positions is once again Choi Won-jun... "Hyung just told me to handle it myself"

*This content was translated by AI.

The formidable ninth batter Kwon Dong-jin (28) cited Choi Won-jun (29, both of KT Wiz) as the reason for his outstanding performance in scoring positions.

Entering his sixth professional season this year, Kwon Dong-jin is known as a nightmare ninth batter for teams facing KT. While his regular-season stats of a .313 batting average (99 at-bats, 31 hits), 1 home run, 19 RBIs, 26 runs scored, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.889 over 57 games are impressive, it is his .313 batting average specifically in scoring positions that stands out.

Kwon Dong-jin was also part of KT's recent miraculous comeback victory. In the game against the Suwon NC Dinos on the 13th, where KT trailed 2-7, they staged a massive 7-run eighth inning to turn the game around with an 11-9 win. Kwon Dong-jin, leading off the bottom of the eighth, hit a solo home run over the left-field wall after a full-count battle against Lim Ji-min's seventh pitch. Starting from that run, KT overturned a 5-run deficit.

The game against the Suwon KIA Tigers on the 20th was similar. KT trailed 4-9 entering the top of the ninth inning, facing a heavy defeat. However, after Sam Hilliard hit a solo home run, Kim Min-hyuk hit a double to right field following a 12-pitch at-bat, Ryu Hyun-in drew a walk, and Oh Yun-seok hit a single to left field, the momentum shifted. After Ahn Chi-young drew a bases-loaded walk, Kwon Dong-jin hit a two-run double to center field, bringing KT within one run. It was a powerful hit that soared over the pitcher's head and grazed the shortstop's side. After the game, Hilliard called this moment the decisive point where KT seized control. Following this, Ahn Hyun-min hit a tying two-run single, and Hilliard delivered a walk-off hit.

Ahead of the Suwon KIA game on the 21st, Kwon Dong-jin told StarNews, "With no outs and bases loaded, I thought the next batter would be burdened if I struck out. I had confidence that I rarely hit into double plays and aimed to get a result as quickly as possible. I was lucky to get a hit, and as a player, I felt an indescribable excitement."

Kwon Dong-jin shines in crucial moments. In games where the deficit is 5 runs or more, his batting average drops to .222, but it rises to .369 when the deficit is 3 runs or less, .392 when it is 2 runs or less, and soars to .444 when the deficit is 1 run or less. This is why opposing teams cannot simply relax when facing the ninth batter.

When asked about the secret, Kwon Dong-jin pointed to the presence of leadoff batter Choi Won-jun. Kwon Dong-jin explained, "The leadoff batter (Choi Won-jun) is simply too high-class, so from the opponent's perspective, it's natural to focus on the ninth batter. Our top-order batters like (Choi) Won-jun hyung and (Kim) Hyun-soo sunbae are so good that I just try to keep the opportunities going."

He continued, "Won-jun hyung also keeps telling me the same thing. Since they won't pitch to him anyway, he just tells me to be proactive and handle it from the front. I just acted on what he told me."

Actually delivering results when told to do so is not easy. It would not have been possible without Kwon Dong-jin's own batting talent. Kwon Dong-jin was recognized for his batting talent, graduating from Jeju Singwang Elementary, Seokwang Middle, Seokwang High, and Wonkwang University before being selected in the 2nd round, 5th pick of the 2021 KBO Rookie Draft.

After being discharged from the Army Baseball Team (Sangmu), he got his first full-time opportunity last year. This year, he started as a backup but ultimately reclaimed his starting position through his batting. Kwon Dong-jin said, "Whether I play or not is the manager's decision, so I tried not to think about it too much. Complaining won't change anything, so I focused on what I could do. I felt too excited when things went well last year, so I'm trying to restrain myself. At the same time, I'm trying to maintain my composure and not get too down."

He also mentioned Choi Won-jun again. During their time in the Army Baseball Team, Choi Won-jun was a sergeant while Kwon Dong-jin was a private, making them comrades during their military service. They reunited when Choi Won-jun joined KT ahead of this season with a 4-year, maximum 4.8 billion won FA contract. Regarding his recent good batting form, Kwon Dong-jin said, "I try to keep the same routine with Won-jun hyung. As a result, I've gained some confidence at the plate. Whether it's the first pitch or anytime, I try to hit within my count as much as possible."

During that time, Choi Won-jun was known as a top instructor among his Army Baseball Team teammates. He is deeply passionate about baseball and enjoys sharing his know-how and experiences with his teammates. Kwon Dong-jin was one of the players who benefited from this. Even at KT, his personality hasn't changed, and his influence both on and off the field is significant.

Kwon Dong-jin smiled and said, "Won-jun hyung has given me a lot of advice since our Army Baseball Team days. He has been a starter since he was young, so he has much more experience than our friends from the Army Baseball Team. He also does a lot of research on the strike zone. Plus, Won-jun hyung's personality is such that he is very good at giving advice to others, so I listened well to his words, and it seems to have led to good results."

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*This content was translated by AI.