'Still in 9th Place,' SSG Smiles as '2.2 Billion Won Slugger with Head Down' Revives... 'Home Run Army' Awakens

*This content was translated by AI.

With a season batting average of 0.208 (43 hits in 207 at-bats) after 62 games, veteran Kim Jae-hwan (38), acquired by SSG Landers for 2.2 billion won, has recently shown a dramatically improved performance.

Over his last five games, Kim Jae-hwan has posted a 0.471 batting average (8 hits in 17 at-bats), with three home runs, two walks, eight RBIs, and six runs scored, swinging the bat with great power.

Thanks to Kim Jae-hwan's performance, SSG, which had been struggling with a five-game losing streak, finished the week with two consecutive victories. The result is especially meaningful as it was achieved without Choi Jeong, the all-time home run leader in KBO League history.

SSG is a home run factory that represents the KBO League. Over the past decade, the team has led the league in home runs five times. From 2021 (185 home runs) through 2022 (138 home runs) and 2023 (125 home runs), SSG dominated as the strongest power-hitting team for three consecutive years, but in 2024 it fell to fourth place, and in 2025 it dropped to fifth.

Last year, the team finished third, buoyed by a pitching staff that ranked second in the league with a 3.63 ERA. However, with the team's batting power ranking tied for eighth in OPS (on-base plus slugging) at 0.706, there was no room to aim higher.

Ultimately, after the season ended, SSG turned its attention to Kim Jae-hwan. Although the hitter was considered to be in decline, SSG took a risky card under the plan to boost its power-hitting capability.

Until a few games ago, it seemed like a major failure. While he drew many walks, he also struck out frequently. Kim Jae-hwan, who had previously won the home run title while playing at Jamsil Stadium with incredible bat speed, now appeared unable to deny the effects of the aging curve.

However, after hitting consecutive hits in three games, Kim Jae-hwan delivered a performance that will be remembered for a lifetime in his baseball career during the match against NC on the 20th. He launched a two-run home run in the top of the first inning to spark hope for ending the losing streak, followed by a bases-loaded home run in the third inning to extend the lead, and added a solo home run in the fifth inning.

He hit his first three consecutive at-bats home runs since his debut and recorded double-digit home runs for 11 consecutive seasons. A three-home run game was also a first for him, and the eight RBIs came nearly nine years after his performance against Samsung on September 17, 2017 (two home runs, seven RBIs).

According to SSG, Manager Lee Sung-yong praised Kim Jae-hwan after the victory, saying, "Kim Jae-hwan performed as we had hoped when we signed him, which allowed us to break the losing streak. Jae-hwan must have had many concerns while experiencing ups and downs throughout the season, but I believe today's game will be a turning point for his performance rebound."

Kim Jae-hwan also stated, "I am gaining confidence that I can perform well going forward. The team is going through a difficult period, but with much of the season still remaining, I believe we can improve further. I hope everyone does their best and overcomes this together."

Kim Jae-hwan also performed well in the match against NC on the 21st, going 1-for-3 with two walks and one run scored, leading the team to two consecutive victories.

Of course, it may be a bit premature to say he has fully revived. However, as he himself has acknowledged, his performance has been more than sufficient to provide a clear boost in confidence. With Choi Jeong sidelined for two consecutive games due to hip discomfort, Kim Jae-hwan leading the lineup carries significant meaning.

SSG currently sits in ninth place with a record of 29 wins, 40 losses, and two draws, trailing fifth-place Doosan Bears by 4.5 games. With the season nearly at its halfway point, there is still ample opportunity to catch up.

Although SSG still ranks eighth in team batting average at 0.261, Kim Jae-hwan's resurgence has helped the team compile 78 home runs, narrowing the gap with first-place KIA Tigers, who have 84 home runs. With Choi Jeong (17 home runs), Heredia (13 home runs), and Kim Jae-hwan (11 home runs) leading the way, and contributions from Oh Tae-gon, Choi Ji-hoon (both with nine home runs), recently joined Ko Myeong-jun (four home runs), and Jeon Ui-san (two home runs), SSG could deliver a fearsome second-half comeback that no one would have predicted.

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*This content was translated by AI.