'Four-game losing streak, plummeting to 7th place' Hanwha deploys Sim Woo-jun as leadoff batter against Adam Oller with a .429 batting average... 'Finger pain' Noh Si-hwan at DH, Park Jung-hyun at third base [Gwangju field report]

*This content was translated by AI.

The Hanwha Eagles have failed to secure a single victory in the second half and fell into a four-game losing streak. To rescue the team in crisis, they pulled out the card of 'leadoff Sim Woo-jun'.

Sim Woo-jun will start as leadoff batter and shortstop in the visiting game against the KIA Tigers at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field on the 22nd for the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League.

Hanwha arranged its lineup for the day with Sim Woo-jun (shortstop), Oh Jae-won (left fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (center fielder), Noh Si-hwan (designated hitter), Yonatan Peraza (right fielder), Heo In-seo (catcher), Kim Tae-yeon (first baseman), Lee Do-yoon (second baseman), and Park Jung-hyun (third baseman).

This deployment was made considering the matchup against opposing starting pitcher Adam Oller. With Kang Baek-ho sidelined due to injury, placing Sim Woo-jun at leadoff as a card capable of pressuring Oller drew attention.

Sim Woo-jun was excluded from the previous day's starting lineup but entered as a pinch runner in the top of the 8th inning and completed defensive duties at shortstop until the end of the game. He did not bat.

Manager Kim stated, "He has been playing continuously. It would be a lie to say the starters aren't tired. Since he makes dives left and right when fielding balls at shortstop, we rested him for that reason." Regarding his leadoff appearance today, he added, "He fought well. We expected him to do so and sent him out as leadoff."

Sim Woo-jun has drawn only one walk this season as a leadoff batter. This position typically utilized outfield resources, but Hanwha boldly chose Sim Woo-jun this time because the opponent is Oller.

Oller has delivered outstanding pitching in 17 games this season with a record of 9 wins and 6 losses and an ERA of 2.52. In three games against Hanwha, he struggled somewhat with a record of 1 win and 2 losses and an ERA of 5.82, but Sim Woo-jun was at the center of that. Against Oller this season, Sim Woo-jun has recorded 3 hits in 7 at-bats with 2 RBIs. His batting average against Oller reaches 0.429.

With his speed evident as he is currently recording 15 stolen bases this season, he certainly generates expectations as a leadoff batter when facing Oller.

Noh Si-hwan, who was substituted due to pain in his right middle finger during the previous day's batting practice, will start today as designated hitter. Manager Kim explained, "He said throwing is slightly uncomfortable but hitting is fine. After confirming his hitting ability, we placed him in the starting lineup."

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.