Last year, he recorded a batting average of 7.04 (2 hits in 27 at-bats) in 13 games with the 1st team, but in 13 games of demonstration games, he hit 3.6 4 (12 hits in 33 at-bats). It’s not like it’s not known every year at this time. In last year’s demonstration game, he went 0-for-12.
A 30-year-old outfielder who has been buried deep in the shadows for a long time shines. The player who received the most attention in this year’s demonstration game was Lee Seong-gyu (30) of the Samsung Lions.
He played 13 games and all games until the 27th, hit 5 home runs and scored 11 RBIs. homer. 1st overall in RBI and tied for 6th in hits. He is tied for first place on the team with Samsung’s “Face” Ja-wook Koo. OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) 1.248. At this point, Lee Seong-gyu is Samsung’s best hitter.
After graduating from Inha University in 2016, he has been in his 8th year as a pro. Like ‘Anbang Yeopo’, he was a prominent player in the Futures League. The power was extraordinary. He even became the second-team league home run king. Injuries overlapped and he was pushed out of the competition and could not get a place in the first team. Time passed quickly.
Played in 148 games for the first team, batting average 107.9, 55 hits, 12 homers, 38 RBIs. If you summarize Lee Seong-gyu’s professional career in one line, it is as follows. 안전놀이터
I think this year could be a turning point in my professional life. Center fielder Kim Hyeon-joon was out of the team due to an injury, and an alternative was needed to fill the void. When the opportunity came, I grabbed it as if I had prepared it. I received an eye stamp from director Park Jin-man.
Pro is a competition to the end.
Lee Seong-gyu, who hit home runs in two consecutive games on the 24th and 25th, took a break on the 26th. No hits in 4 at-bats against the Doosan Bears in Jamsil. With the opening right around the corner, the sense of impact was quickly awakened. On the 27th, against the Hanwha Eagles, he played in the 6th center field and scored 2 hits. He had a hit in 8 of 13 games played. It is evaluated that he has better vision and contact skills than before.
Coach Park Jin-man said on the 27th, “There is a 99% chance of playing as center fielder before the opening game. Lee Seong-gyu is the best player in our team right now.” It reminded me of the usual theory that ‘a player in good condition should start as a starter’.
In the meantime, there were many players who were very active in the demonstration games, but sluggish in the regular season. There were not a few cases where he could not continue the good flow and ended up as a ‘shiny star’ in the demonstration game. How will Lee Seong-gyu remember March 2023 at this time next year?