One of the most embarrassing players at the beginning of this season for the KIA was Park Chan-ho (28), the team’s main shortstop. Park Chan-ho was also the player who drove the most embarrassing roller coaster until the middle of the season.먹튀검증
Park Chan-ho, who has held the position of KIA shortstop for a long time, put an end to the controversy over the team’s main shortstop by upgrading his attack from last year as well as his energetic defense and base running that were originally well received. It was not unreasonable to expect better offensive power this year as it grew one step last year. However, the results in April were not so good. He couldn’t even start properly and stopped at the starting line.
Park Chan-ho’s batting average in 23 games in April was 0.181. He also had an on-base percentage of just 0.234, and above all, all 13 hits in April were singles. His batting average and slugging percentage were the same. His OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) stayed at 0.415. Since he is a shortstop with a heavy defensive burden, it is understandable that he has a certain lack of offense, but it is out of acceptable range.
There was some point in pointing out that the start of the season was delayed because of a wrist problem that plagued Chan-Ho Park since the camp. When Park Chan-ho rebounded with a batting average of 0.381 in 21 games in May, this logic was convincing. However, in the 23rd game of June, his batting average fell back to 0.218. In defense, mistakes that were not like Park Chan-ho were pouring in, and it was clear that he was shaken in both offense and defense. Criticism also poured in. It was a big crisis for the player personally.
However, since July, he has been finding stability in both offense and defense. He has maintained a stable batting average of 0.329 in 24 games since July 1st, and his OPS has risen vertically to 0.850 as long hits with doubles or more are common. Above all, he commits only two errors in 24 games and is holding the KIA infield firmly. His stable defense, as well as his wide range of defense and agile movement, are often mass-produced with ‘highlight films’.
Park Chan-ho in April and Park Chan-ho in July cannot be ‘different people’. In the end, speculation inside and outside the club is that the change in batting approach is leading to good results. In August, the ups and downs are not severe, as it seems to have completely stabilized. In the eight games in August, there was only one game in which there was no on-base, and it was against LG in Gwangju on the 9th. However, in the next game, against Sajik Lotte on the 11th, he was revived by recording a multi-hit. If you hit a no-hitter once, the aftermath is completely different from April, which lasted quite a while.
Regarding Park Chan-ho’s batting since July, KIA coach Kim Jong-guk said, “Overall, my concentration on the batting side has improved a lot. Also, I am hitting with a swing mechanism that suits me.” , and I feel that he puts a lot of thought into batted ball speed and hit production,” explaining Park Chan-ho’s change.
The view from the outside is similar. SBS Sports commentator Kim Tae-hyeong evaluated, “The hitting is a little different from last year and early spring (this year). I hit with a lot of lower body use, but I hit hard and short with contact. It became more concise.” SBS Sports commentator Lee Soon-cheol also nodded, saying, “Before, the upper and lower bodies were unbalanced and played separately. But now, I think I’ve learned how to play with a two-way stance.”
In fact, offense and defense cannot be explained separately to the beast. No matter how much he vows to focus on defense, he can’t help but think of him in a situation where there are many ‘no-hit games’. On the other hand, errors in defense also affect the at-bat. Park Chan-ho has been stepping on a virtuous circle of confidence and energy as he overcame difficulties in both offense and defense since July. Expectations are growing that he will easily surpass last year (.272), which was the highest batting average season of his personal career, if he does not show his greed for long hits again.
Park Chan-ho’s existence has a significant weight in the KIA batting order and infield. Chan-Ho Park is one of the best No. 9 hitters in the league this season. His 9th at bat brought his batting average to 0.293. He is at the peak of his ability to create regular hits these days, to the point that the probability of getting a hit has increased just by being hit by a bat. On the one hand, he has the feet to steal 40 bases, so opposing pitchers are in a double trouble of dealing with the top KIA batting line while caring about Park Chan-ho. The ability to go one more base than other players increases your RBI odds.
Recently, due to Kim Sun-bin’s injury, it is being used in the higher batting line than the 9th, but the effect of Park Chan-ho’s on-base is not different. In order for the KIA lineup, which has been relatively weak in mobility, to become a ‘sports car’, an acceleration section starting with Park Chan-ho is absolutely necessary. And Park Chan-ho must hold the steering wheel.
In a situation where Kim Seon-bin is temporarily absent due to injury, he must also play the role of the team’s infield leader. Park Chan-ho is the oldest player among the players in the KIA infield, including Kim Do-young, Choi Won-joon, Kim Gyu-seong, Hwang Dae-in, Byun Woo-hyuk and Hong Jong-pyo. With the recent KIA infield defense faltering, if Park Chan-ho is shaken, it may collapse out of control. However, while his defense concentration continues, he is still showing off his stamina, such as playing a few defenses against Sajik Lotte on the 11th. If he completes the season at this pace, he could be a more promising player next year.