"Twenty-four Blue Blood" by Hwang Dong-jae and Kim Ji-chan. This year, it's greener
"Twenty-four Blue Blood" by Hwang Dong-jae and Kim Ji-chan. This year, it's greener
Blog Article
2025 is the year of the 'Blue Snake'.
In particular, there are some players whose team color is in line with blue in that they are "blue snakes." They are pitcher Hwang Dong-jae (24) of the Samsung Lions and fielder Kim Ji-chan (24).메이저사이트
Hwang Dong-jae, who joined Samsung as the first pick in 2020, has been selected only as a fifth starter in recent years.
This season, the team struggled in a practice game against Japanese pro baseball teams held in Okinawa, Japan, the site of its spring camp, before the season's opening. Notably, at the game against Nippon Ham, the team's manager even protested against the team because the team hit the opponent team due to poor control of the ball.
He joined the top-tier Korean pro baseball team in earnest from July 10. In the beginning, he took the mound as a relief pitcher, but started several times at the end of the season. He was also used as a starter in the playoffs and the Korean Series. Hwang gained valuable experience despite his poor performance in the Korean Series.
Even after the season, Hwang did not rest. The team sent Hwang to a baseball program facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. Only two players, fielded by Lee Jae-hyun, spent the process organizing the 2024 season and preparing for the next season.
A fierce competition will take place for the fifth starting pitcher. Hwang must secure a position through competition with left-hander Lee Seung-hyun, who gained experience as a starting pitcher for the first time last year, and Lee Ho-seong, who is entering his third year in the first division.
Kim Ji-chan, who joined Hwang Dong-jae as the 15th in the second round of the 2020 rookie draft, was an infielder.
However, last season, he changed from an infielder to an outfielder before the opening of the season. Coach Park Jin-man saw the possibility of outfielder Kim Ji-chan and recommended him to work on the sideline.
Kim Ji-chan, who had fast feet, quickly adapted to the outfield defense. Coach Park even praised him as "LG Park Hae-min level."
He also achieved career high in batting. He had a batting average of 0.316 with three homers and 36 RBIs, contributing to his team's ability to rank among the top ranks. He had slightly slumped at 0.200 in the playoffs and 0.257 in the Korean Series, but gained from his experience in major games.
Kim Ji-chan's position is not solid. There are also many players in Samsung's outfield, including Kim Heon-gon, who remained as a free agent, Yoon Jeong-bin, who proved his slugging ability as a strong second batter in the postseason, and Lee Seong-gyu, who surpassed 20 home runs for the first time since his debut. "He is proactive in changing and is not swayed," Kim said of his personality. He knows better that he needs to strengthen his position in his second year as an outfielder.