'27 consecutive hitless at-bats' is possible, but why must it be the 'fourth batter'?

*This content was translated by AI.

Yang Ui-ji (39), Doosan Bears' representative hitter, is caught in a deep slump.

Since his two-run single in the third inning of the LG Twins game at Jamsil on the 1st, Yang has recorded 27 consecutive hitless at-bats over 29 plate appearances. From the LG game on the 2nd through the Kiwoom Heroes game on the 10th, he went hitless and drove in no runs across seven games, managing only one walk, one hit-by-pitch, and one run scored.

His batting form does not appear to be severely deteriorated. Well-hit balls frequently go straight at fielders or are caught just in front of the outfield fence. During this period, he has been struck out only twice.

One might argue that such a slump is understandable over a long season. However, the issue extends beyond Yang Ui-ji to the entire Doosan lineup, which is showing signs of stagnation. In nine games played in September, Doosan scored two runs or fewer in seven contests, including three scoreless games and three one-run games. This is widely interpreted as being significantly influenced by the underperformance of Yang Ui-ji, who bats fourth as a core member of the team's lineup.

Yang Ui-ji's batting average in scoring position this season stands at 0.232 (23 hits in 99 at-bats), ranking 47th among the 48th batters who met the minimum plate appearance requirement (the lowest being SSG Landers' Choi Ji-hoon at 0.206). In his recent seven hitless games, he went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and 0-for-9 with runners on base.

In this situation, considering a change in Yang Ui-ji's batting order is an option. Of course, no Doosan player currently matches the intimidating presence of the fourth batter against opposing pitchers. However, if the central hitter repeatedly fails to capitalize on opportunities, it could demoralize teammates, so relieving some pressure and shifting the team's atmosphere may be worth attempting.

Yang Ui-ji has posted a 0.244 batting average (81 hits in 332 at-bats) when batting fourth this season. While the sample size is small, his average rises to 0.360 (9 hits in 25 at-bats) when batting sixth, and he has hit four home runs in that spot.

Kim Won-hyung (54), Doosan's manager, has consistently maintained his belief that Yang Ui-ji is "a player who will naturally rise as time passes" whenever questioned about him throughout the season. This faith was indeed validated earlier this year: Yang struggled in the first eight games with a 0.069 average (2 hits in 29 at-bats) but gradually regained his form, finishing the season with a 0.249 average (100 hits in 401 at-bats), leading the team in home runs (19) and RBIs (69).

But now, as the season nears its climax with standings battles intensifying, every game and every plate appearance is too precious to simply watch and wait. It remains to be seen how Doosan and Yang Ui-ji will untangle the knot of their offensive struggles.

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*This content was translated by AI.