"Choi Hyeong-woo is not the kind of player who should be so undervalued" — Gale warning at Raemak; defensive weakness to be offset by hitting [PO2 Manager Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

"Player Choi Hyeong-woo is not someone who should be so undervalued..."

Choi Hyeong-woo (43, Samsung Lions) returned to the starting lineup. However, he is not in his familiar designated hitter role, but as the starting left fielder. With strong winds blowing at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, this is expected to become a variable.

Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man (50), in a pre-game interview ahead of Game 2 of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO Postseason PO (best-of-five series) against the KIA Tigers on the 27th at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, stated, "Yesterday our lineup was powerless. To maximize offensive power, I thought he was an experienced player with the ability to change the momentum, so I put Choi Hyeong-woo in the lineup."

Samsung was pushed into a crisis after being defeated 1-5 in Game 1, managing only two hits. Samsung made significant changes to its lineup that day. Specifically, they assigned Choi Hyeong-woo, who had stayed on the bench in Game 1, to the left field position.

Samsung changed its starting lineup to Kim Ji-chan (center fielder) - Park Seung-gyu (right fielder) - Koo Ja-wook (designated hitter) - Lewin Diaz (first baseman) - Choi Hyeong-woo (left fielder) - Kim Young-woong (third baseman) - Kang Min-ho (catcher) - Ryu Ji-hyuk (second baseman) - Lee Jae-hyun (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Ariel Hurdado.

Koo Ja-wook, who won the batting double crown at the end of the season, suffered a hamstring injury. In a situation where base running and defense were difficult, there was no choice but to put Koo Ja-wook's name in the designated hitter spot.

To use Choi Hyeong-woo, one outfield spot had to be assigned to him. However, in a short series, a single defensive error can become a huge variable, so manager Park Jin-man pulled out the Park Seung-gyu card. Nevertheless, the key was hitting. No matter how well they defended, it was a level of play that could not win. The lineup fell silent with two hits, and ultimately Choi Hyeong-woo's absence was highlighted even more.

Ultimately, Choi Hyeong-woo will take the field as left fielder. Kim Seong-yoon, who went 0-for-4 at the plate the previous day and committed a throwing error in defense, was removed, and Park Seung-gyu moved to right field.

The previous day, all five of KIA's runs came from the middle of the lineup. With Choi Hyeong-woo added, Samsung began to have expectations for the synergy that Koo Ja-wook, Diaz, Kim Young-woong, and others could achieve.

Now, concerns shift to defense. Choi Hyeong-woo played only six games and 43 innings as an outfielder this season. He had no errors, but his coverage range was not wide, and it is true that he falls short when compared with competitors.

However, manager Park Jin-man said, "He has prepared well over time and has a lot of experience," adding, "Hurdado is also a pitcher who induces many ground balls, so we chose this primarily to maximize offensive power."

Previously, Choi Hyeong-woo expressed a sense of burden regarding defensive appearances. Regarding this as well, Manager Park showed confidence by saying, "He said that himself, but I told him, 'Now is the time when you are needed.' On the outside he may say that, but inside he will surely be preparing solidly."

Another variable is that a strong wind of about 5 meters per second is blowing at Lions Park, where the game will be held. Manager Park Jin-man said, "Choi Hyeong-woo is not a player who should receive that level of undervaluation. There is too much talk about defense. Just watch and see," explaining further, "I also talked to Hyeong-woo during practice about that point. He will be conscious of it and positioning himself defensively in preparation for that."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original