'Overeager?' Doosan's Severino, KKKK+Fielding Error... Needs Time

*This content was translated by AI.

Was he too eager?

Severino (27), Doosan Bears' new foreign hitter, is undergoing a harsh trial by fire in the KBO League.

Severino was signed by Doosan as a strategic move to replace Cameron (29) in pursuit of a top-five finish or better. As a right-handed batter and left-handed thrower infielder, he recorded 197 games, 34 home runs, and 111 RBIs in Triple-A in the U.S., while hitting .340 with five home runs in 54 games for Mexico's league this season. "He is a type of hitter who generates strong contact from both sides of the plate based on an excellent swing mechanism. We expect him to contribute significantly to the team's offensive production in clutch situations," the club explained.

However, since his debut in the second half starting on the 16th, Severino's performance has fallen short of expectations. In five games, he hit .167 (3 hits in 18 at-bats) with one RBI. His extra-base hits consisted only of a single double; no home runs were recorded. His batting average with runners in scoring position was .200 (1 hit in 5 at-bats), and he struck out nine times.

In the KT Wiz game held in Suwon on the 21st, Severino started as the cleanup hitter and first baseman but struck out in all four plate appearances. In the fourth inning with one out and runners on first and third, and again in the eighth with one out and a runner on first, he failed to capitalize. Notably, all four strikeouts were swinging strikes. In the eighth inning, even after a cutter from opposing pitcher Sugimoto hit his left thigh, he still swung and missed for a strikeout.

There were also disappointing moments in first base defense. In the bottom of the first with two outs and a runner on first, when Hilliard's infield single to third base occurred, Severino received the ball but committed a high throwing error while attempting to tag out first baseman Kim Hyun-soo running toward third. During that delay, Kim Hyun-soo scored from first, giving KT the lead.

Kim Won-hyung (54), Doosan's manager, said before the game regarding Severino: "His swing and other aspects were fine, but after young players hit home runs in last weekend's match against Changwon NC Dinos, he seemed to get a bit greedy and expanded his swing. I felt he wanted to show something." He added, "Now, as games continue, he will need some time to adjust to KBO pitchers."

He has now played five games. It appears Severino will need a bit more time to meet Doosan's expectations.

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*This content was translated by AI.