*This content was translated by AI.
"I don't know why he isn't getting attention. I think I need to actively promote him."
Lee Kang-cheol (60), manager of KT Wiz, was genuinely upset. His frustration stemmed from the fact that the outstanding performance of KT's foreign batter Sam Heileryard (32), who is displaying MVP-level presence, has not received sufficient recognition.
On the 31st, at Suwon KT Wiz Park in a home game against Hanwha Eagles in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League, Heileryard started as the cleanup hitter and center fielder. He recorded one hit, one walk, two runs scored in three at-bats, leading KT to a 5-3 comeback victory.
There were no home runs or extra-base hits that day, but the player who dominated the game was undoubtedly Heileryard. In the bottom of the fourth inning with no outs and a runner on first base while trailing 0-3, Heileryard reached base after being hit by Ryu Hyun-jin's curveball. Following Kim Min-hyuk's single to left-center field and a hit-by-pitch to Huh Kyung-min that moved him to third base, Heileryard sprinted home without hesitation during Oh Yun-seok's short fly ball to center field.
It was not an easy sacrifice fly; it was a run scored thanks to Heileryard's speed. Hanwha catcher Heo In-seo fumbled the tag in his rush, allowing Kim Min-hyuk, the runner from second base, to advance to third as well. Heileryard's baserunning simultaneously secured KT's first run and an additional advancement.
Heileryard also sparked the comeback in the bottom of the sixth inning with KT trailing 2-3. As the leadoff batter, he hit a single to left field and boldly advanced to second base during Kim Min-hyuk's routine fly ball to center field. Seizing the opponent's momentary lapse in concentration, he created a scoring opportunity. When Kim Sang-soo then hit a ground ball through the infield, Heileryard again sprinted home without hesitation to tie the game at 3-3. Eventually, Hanwha starter Ryu Hyun-jin was removed from the mound, and KT secured a 5-3 comeback victory thanks to Han Seung-taek's two-run single.
Heileryard explained, "As soon as I saw the ball in the air, I knew I had to head for second base. Knowing my speed, if I believe there's a chance, I always try to aggressively move toward the next base." He added, "The coaches have also informed us about opposing outfielders' throwing habits in advance, which we take into account."
Like today, Heileryard's contribution to KT this season extends beyond statistics. Through July, he appeared in 95 games, posting a .310 batting average, 28 home runs, 90 RBIs, 75 runs scored, 7 stolen bases, a .376 on-base percentage, a .591 slugging percentage, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.967. At a pace of 42 home runs and 136 RBIs, his performance rivals that of league-leading batters such as Austin Dean (LG Twins) and Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers), earning him MVP-caliber credentials.
The season did not start smoothly. Through April, in 28 games, he hit .232 with five home runs, 21 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.728, leading to discussions about his potential replacement. However, Manager Lee and KT believed in Heileryard's potential to turn things around.
Before the game, manager Lee Kang-cheol recalled, "There was a reason we had to wait for Heileryard. Even during his slump, he chose walks wisely, and his defense and baserunning were solid. We just needed to wait for his bat to come around. Since his batted-ball speed often reaches 160 km/h, I wondered what would happen if he made solid contact. If he continues to adapt like this, won't he perform even better next year?"
The wait proved worthwhile. Heileryard rebounded in May, hitting .350 over 25 games, and transformed into a power hitter with both strength and precision at the heart of the lineup. The manager compared Heileryard to Mel Rojas Jr., who won the regular-season MVP award while playing for KT in the past, but emphasized Heileryard's unique strengths.
Manager Lee stated, "When I was on another team during Rojas' prime, I didn't know how well he played defense. His hitting is similar to Rojas'. He has a good eye at the plate and hits the ball far." However, he added, "(By my standards) unlike Rojas, Heileryard excels in both baserunning and defense. While Park Hae-min does well as center fielder, Heileryard's height allows him to jump and catch balls that seem destined to clear the fence. In baserunning, his long strides mean he reaches home plate after just a few steps."
He also gave high marks for Heileryard's attitude as a player. Even when KT players who rarely receive attention are involved, the manager is known for aggressively promoting them like an unstoppable force. This was no different today. Deeply frustrated, Manager Lee said, "Heileryard is exactly the kind of player I truly love. He is dignified and has excellent character. He takes his play seriously and works incredibly hard." He continued, "He is a top-tier player with excellence in both offense and defense—a type we may never see again. Please broadcast all the praise I gave today to its fullest extent," raising his voice emphatically.
Attention is not always determined solely by statistics. Heileryard's name has often passed relatively quietly amid the spotlight on other teams and players with more prominent performances. Yet, Heileryard has silently hit home runs, covered vast outfield areas, and sprinted an extra base whenever he spotted an opponent's weakness. When adding his unheralded plays to his impressive numbers, there is no reason Heileryard should not be mentioned as an MVP candidate.
The manager hoped that Heileryard's value, which does not appear in the statistics, would receive proper recognition, and the player understands this sentiment. Heileryard declared, "Thanks to the manager's trust, I am able to step into the batter's box comfortably every day. To repay that trust, I will focus even more and show better plays."
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*This content was translated by AI.
