'First 300' 11-year outfielder's challenge to become a beautiful first baseman
I’ll try first base.”
Outfielder Lee Woo-sung (29), who participated in the KIA Tigers Okinawa finishing camp in November 2023, immediately expressed his interest in playing first base to infield defense coach Park Ki-nam. Coach Kim Jong-guk, who heard about Lee Woo-sung's will through Coach Park, laughed. The sudden transformation into a first baseman was welcome, but it was also because he read Lee Woo-sung's mind.
The reason his new challenge is attracting attention is because it is a transformation for his team. Lee Woo-sung said, "I played an outfielder for 10 years in the pros. I think learning to be an infielder is also an experience. I don't think it will be a negative for me. I'm not too old yet. If I succeed as a first baseman, it will be a plus for me and the team. will be". He trained as a first baseman throughout the closing camp. He has been evaluated as having the potential to adapt and is expected to primarily train as a first baseman until spring training.
Lee Woo-sung, who entered the professional ranks in 2013, only became a first-team starter in the 2023 season. He joined Doosan, transferred to NC, and then again to KIA. He was an unfinished prospect with slugging power. He hit multiple home runs in KIA games in the 2019 season. KIA, which needed a right-handed hitter who could succeed Beom-ho Lee, gave up veteran outfielder Myung-ki Lee and traded him. He rarely reached his potential. He only contributed as a backup player, going back and forth between the first and second teams. He stepped up as a pinch runner on defense.
Coach Kim Jong-guk's appointment for the 2022 season was a big opportunity for him. Coach Kim saw his constant efforts and kept him in the first team. Since his debut, he has remained in the first-team lineup for 178 days, his most ever. He returned the favor with a batting average of .209 and 200 in 80 games and 137 at-bats. The 2023 season shined in offense and defense. In 126 games and 400 at-bats, he set a career-high record of .301, 8 home runs, 58 RBIs, 39 runs, 8 steals, and OPS (slugging percentage + on-base percentage) of 0.780. Until the end of June, he filled the vacancy left by the injured Na Seong-beom and maintained his spot in the outfield even when Choi Won-jun, who was originally the starter, was discharged.
Lee Woo-sung's leap brought about another concern. The outfield was full. Socrates Brito renewed his contract, and Na Seong-beom is an unwavering outfielder. Choi Won-jun is expected to become a full-time outfielder. Park Jeong-woo, who has excellent offense and defense, should also be utilized in the first team. There are even Lee Chang-jin, Kim Ho-ryeong, and Kim Seok-hwan. Ko Jong-wook is a pinch hitter, but can also play outfield defense. Excluding Socrates and Na Seong-beom, there are seven people competing for one position.
Instead, first base is empty. It was a risky position without a suitable starter. Hwang Dae-in, who became the starting pitcher with 91 RBIs in the 2022 season, fell into a slump in the 2023 season. Transfer student Byun Woo-hyuk also tried first base, but was unable to secure the position. Moreover, Byun Woo-hyuk must also play third base this year. Jeong Hae-won, a second-year high school graduate, is also being mentioned as a candidate for third base and first base, but has no first-team experience yet.
It seems natural that Lee Woo-sung chose to transform into a first baseman. However, being a first baseman is not easy. He has a lot to do, including handling difficult batted balls such as swooping balls, hitting irregularities, and pop flies that soar above his head, and linking up with the pitcher and second baseman. Although he had difficulty establishing himself as an outfielder after 11 years, he took on a new challenge. If successful, the team will have a much wider range of player utilization. Regardless of success or failure, a manager would likely want to push Lee Woo-sung, who chose to take on the challenge for the team.
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