'Coach Lee Byung-gyu joins' Kiwoom confirms postseason exit, why change base-running coach again? "To revitalize the atmosphere... looking ahead to next year" [Jamsil Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

With their postseason elimination confirmed, Kiwoom Heroes immediately opted for changes ahead of the remaining season. They are reshuffling not only the player roster but also the coaching staff to revitalize the team atmosphere.

On the 8th, ahead of their away game against LG Twins at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season, Kiwoom made adjustments to its first-division roster.

Pitcher Won Jong-hyun (39) and infielder Yeom Seung-won (20) were registered for the first division. Previously, on the 7th, pitcher An Woo-jin (28) and infielder Eo Jun-seo (20) were removed from the roster. Changes also occurred in the coaching staff: Coach Park Jeong-eum (37) was replaced by Coach Lee Byung-gyu (32), who joined the first division. This is not a simple position swap. Kiwoom explained that it reorganized its coaching staff to revitalize the team atmosphere for the remainder of the season, including changes in the base-running unit and bolstering hitting coach personnel.

Coach Kim Jun-wan (35), who previously handled first-base running and outfield duties, will now oversee third-base running, strategy, and outfield roles for the rest of the season. Coach Lee Byung-gyu, formerly the Futures League hitting coach, has been promoted to assistant hitting coach in the first division and will guide batters alongside hitting coach Jang Young-seok (36).

Head Coach Seol Jong-jin (53), who met with reporters before the game, said, "While revitalizing the atmosphere is part of it, we also wanted to make bolder plays in base running. It's not just about the low number of stolen bases; beyond that, we want to encourage players to aggressively take an extra base whenever possible. We wanted to send that message to the players."

This year, Kiwoom recorded only 17 stolen bases, a starkly low figure compared to ninth-place KT Wiz's 46, placing them in last place. The decline from 83 stolen bases (eighth in the league) last year—a drop of 80%—is attributed to the departure of speedy players such as Song Seong-moon (30, San Diego Padres) and Lee Ju-hyung (25). Coach Seol stated, "According to data, Song Seong-moon and Lee Ju-hyung accounted for 80% of the team's stolen bases. With those players no longer on the roster and Im Ji-yeol also struggling with his condition, it seems natural that stolen base attempts have decreased."

However, even so, the reduction is too significant, according to the manager. Coach Seol explained, "Base running speed cannot be improved through short-term training. In the Futures League, I instructed coaches to encourage young and fast players to attempt more steals. We may see some of these players during the closing camp, and we plan to build a strong lineup that can utilize them effectively next year."

He added, "Batters cannot hit well every time, and bunting is not something you can do daily. To ensure further growth and leap forward for the team next year, we believe defense and base running are crucial. With an eye toward next year, we plan to proactively train in a style of baseball that emphasizes taking an extra base."

On this day, Kiwoom set its batting order as follows: Seo Geon-chang (designated hitter), Chu Jae-hyun (right fielder), Matt Davidson (first baseman), Keston Hiura (left fielder), Kim Woong-bin (third baseman), Kim Dong-heon (catcher), Yeom Seung-won (second baseman), Park Ju-hong (center fielder), and Kwon Hyuk-bin (shortstop). Newly registered Yeom Seung-won immediately received the opportunity to start as the seventh batter and second baseman.

Ha Young-min (31) will take the mound for Kiwoom as the starting pitcher. According to official KBO records, Ha has recorded 5 wins and 8 losses with an ERA of 4.54 in 23 games this season. He has pitched 111 innings and served as a key pillar of Kiwoom's starting rotation. However, he faces a challenge against LG. In two games against LG this year, Ha went winless with an ERA of 8.31 over 8⅔ innings, allowing 14 hits, issuing 6 walks, and committing 8 errors. His batting average against by LG batters reached 0.359.

Facing him is LG's starting pitcher Park Si-won (20). Park has recorded 1 win and 3 losses with an ERA of 4.57 in 25 games this season, pitching 41⅓ innings and recording 32 strikeouts. In a previous relief appearance against Kiwoom, he pitched one scoreless inning. His recent form has been particularly strong. On the 3rd, during a game against Doosan Bears, he delivered five scoreless innings with just two hits allowed, two walks, and two strikeouts to earn his first professional win. He did not falter even in a starting pitcher showdown against Kwak Bin (27, Doosan), who was leading the league in ERA. Park will return to the mound as the starter after four days of rest.

LG constructed its batting order as follows: Shin Min-jae (second baseman), Park Hae-min (center fielder), Austin Dean (designated hitter), Song Chan-ui (left fielder), Moon Jung-bin (first baseman), Hong Chang-gi (right fielder), Gu Bon-hyeok (third baseman), Oh Ji-hwan (shortstop), and Park Dong-won (catcher).

As of the pre-game on the 8th, LG held a record of 68 wins, 1 draw, and 53 losses, placing them third, while Kiwoom sat in last place with 44 wins, 3 draws, and 80 losses. LG also holds the upper hand in season head-to-head matchups against Kiwoom with 10 wins and 5 losses. LG, having recently suffered two consecutive losses to Samsung, is being chased by fourth-place KIA by just half a game, making a victory essential for them.

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*This content was translated by AI.