KIA had turned its back on 'this player,' but he finally exploded after his transfer! "Why did you return only now?"... He is in the midst of a true prime.

*This content was translated by AI.

Batting average in the .300s this season. His batting average over the last 10 games reached 0.375. He is the one who achieved a perfect revival with Kiwoom Heroes after leaving KIA Tigers at the end of last season. Seo Geon-chang (37), who recently signed a multi-year non-free agent contract, is the protagonist.

Seo Geon-chang's performance this season has been extraordinary. In 64 games this season, he recorded a batting average of 0.303 (251 at-bats, 76 hits), 1 home run, 10 doubles, 3 triples, 21 RBIs, 39 runs scored, 2 stolen bases (0 failed), 32 walks, 7 hit-by-pitches, 28 strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.378, an on-base percentage of 0.395, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.773. His batting average with runners in scoring position is 0.360, and his pinch-hitting average is 0.500.

In the second half of the season, he has recorded a hit in 10 out of 12 games, missing only two. During the midweek three-game series against LG, he recorded 4 at-bats with 1 hit on the 28th, then on the 29th, he dominated with an incredible 6 at-bats and 5 hits. It has been a staggering 3,324 days since Seo Geon-chang last had a 5-hit game, which occurred on June 22, 2017, against the Daejeon Hanwha Eagles.

He continued his performance in the game on the 30th as well, recording 3 at-bats with 1 hit, 1 walk, and 1 run scored. Seo Geon-chang is showing stable performance not only offensively but also defensively. He is effectively serving as Kiwoom's full-time starting second baseman, having committed only three errors. His fielding and throwing appear to have returned to his prime in his 20s.

In the game against LG on the 29th, after recording 6 at-bats with 5 hits, he was substituted in the 8th inning. Regarding this, Kiwoom manager Seol Jong-jin explained: "I asked him before he came to bat in the 8th. I asked if there was any record he was aiming for. If he had gotten a hit in the 7th and reached 6 at-bats with 6 hits, I was considering giving him another chance in his final at-bat. When I asked him in the 8th if he wanted to 'hit one more time,' he replied, 'I don't care about records; I'd prefer to rest here.' So we brought in a pinch hitter."

Seo Geon-chang once dominated as one of the representative second basemen in the KBO League. He won the Second Baseman Gold Glove Award three times (2012, 2014, and 2016). After being drafted as a developmental player by LG Twins in 2008 and subsequently released, he showcased his full potential with Nexen (now Kiwoom) Heroes. He received the Rookie of the Year Award in 2012 and was named the Season MVP in 2014. Notably, in 2014, he wrote new history by recording the first-ever 200 hits (201 hits) in KBO League history.

A change came for Seo Geon-chang in July 2021. At that time, he left Kiwoom through a one-on-one trade with pitcher Jung Chan-heon and put on the LG uniform. However, his playing opportunities gradually began to dwindle. Ultimately, ahead of the 2024 season, he resolved to train hard, building his body while continuing training in his hometown of Gwangju, and transferred to 'his home team,' KIA Tigers.

In the 2024 season, he played in 94 games, recording a batting average of 0.310 (203 at-bats, 63 hits), 26 RBIs, 40 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.820, contributing to the team's Korean Series championship. Afterward, Seo Geon-chang signed a free agent contract with KIA for a term of 1+1 years at a total value of 500 million won for the 2025 season. However, after appearing in only 10 games, he eventually left KIA. The team that reached out to him was 'his home team,' KIA. He signed for an annual salary of 120 million won. It was the moment he returned to his home team after five years.

And this season, Seo Geon-chang has made a perfect revival with his home team. In fact, on May 20 last year, he signed a two-year non-free agent contract with Kiwoom Club through the 2028 season, with a total value of up to 600 million won (annual salary of 500 million won and an option of 100 million won). At the time, Kiwoom Club praised him, stating: "We proposed this contract after highly evaluating Seo Geon-chang's dedication as a veteran and his sincere and responsible attitude since joining the team."

Seo Geon-chang, who led the Hero Legion during its prime, is now wearing the Heroes uniform again and delivering performances comparable to his prime. What kind of performance will Seo Geon-chang continue to show this season? The expectations of Heroes fans are rising.

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*This content was translated by AI.