[Official] Found a new team just eight days after being released! Former SSG infielder Lee Jeong-beom makes a surprise move to KT: "Will travel with the first-division squad for the remainder of the first half without registration"

*This content was translated by AI.

Former SSG Landers infielder Lee Jeong-beom (28) has found a new team just eight days after being released. He joins the KT Wiz, which is currently engaged in a fierce battle for first place.

On the 7th, ahead of their match against Suwon Kiwoom Heroes, the KT organization officially announced: "We have acquired Lee Jeong-beom, who played for SSG. His positions are first base and outfielder, and his jersey number is 0. He will travel with the first-division squad for the remainder of the first half but will not be registered."

Lee Jeong-beom graduated from Incheon Sungui Elementary School, Dong-Incheon Middle School, and Incheon High School before being selected by SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) in the second round, 46th overall pick of the 2017 KBO Rookie Draft.

At the time of his selection, he was highly regarded for his refined batting skills. Indeed, in Futures League games, he recorded a .315 batting average (397 hits in 1,260 at-bats), 28 home runs, 228 RBIs, and 186 runs scored, with an on-base percentage of .375 and a slugging percentage of .455.

However, his defense never improved significantly, which held him back. He failed to demonstrate batting performance strong enough to compensate for his poor first base fielding. As a result, he did not consistently receive opportunities in the first division. It was not until five years after joining the team, in 2021, that he finally made his first-division debut. That year, he played in 19 games with 66 plate appearances, which were the most he had ever recorded in the first division.

Last year, he also attempted to transition to corner outfield positions, but achieved no significant results. Ultimately, he left SSG having only recorded a .226 batting average (26 hits in 115 at-bats), three home runs, 14 RBIs, an on-base percentage of .278, and a slugging percentage of .348 across 50 first-division games.

It was KT that came calling for him. This year, KT boasts the highest team batting average in the league, showcasing formidable offensive power. However, focusing solely on the first division was not an option. Last year, KT's second division team became the inaugural Futures League champion, but this season they are struggling with a record of 29 wins, one draw, and 43 losses, placing them at the bottom of the Southern League.

Nevertheless, there is hope because KT has successfully developed several similar left-handed batters in the past. Lee Jeong-hoon (32), Kwon Dong-jin (28), and Ryu Hyun-in (26) are fulfilling their roles, and there are many left-handed batters to emulate, such as Kim Hyun-soo (38) and Choi Won-jun (29). It remains to be seen whether Lee Jeong-beom can find the spark for a comeback in his new environment.

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*This content was translated by AI.