This is what Kim Jae-deok (51), head coach of Gwangju Dongseong High School, said about Kim Do-young (21, KIA Tigers).
Kim Jae-deok is one of the baseball players who has been watching Kim’s growth this season. “Kim Do-yeong is literally an excellent hitting player,” Kim said. “He always puts his team first. He doesn’t show off his personality and doesn’t overreact. He is a gentle and gentle player.”
Kim Do-young wore the uniform of Kia as the first rookie nomination in 2022. Having agonized between Kim Do-young, a local rival, and Moon Dong-ju, a pitcher, the KIA front desk picked Kim Do-young, who was dubbed the “second Lee Jong-beom” after a long hiatus. Up until last year, Kim did not have a chance to win the title due to Moon Dong-ju (a graduate of Hanwha Eagles, Jinheung High School), but this year is different. Kim’s every move is drawing keen attention as he showed a performance that could challenge him to become the MVP (as of Tuesday, he hit .354 with 28 home runs, 78 RBIs and 100 points). He has already become the best hit product in professional baseball, earning the MVP award in March-April and June by the Korea Baseball Organization.
“I think there’s something about (KIA scout) not picking a pitcher (Moon Dong-ju) with a speed of 150km/h or more and picking an infielder (Kim Do-young),” manager Kim Jae-deok said. “I thought he would become a huge free agent (FA) who can go to the U.S. (Major League) in the future. As more time passes and experience builds, the batting will become more mature, with the breaking ball skillfully dealt with,” he said, looking forward to his student’s growth.
Kim Do-young’s record streak this year is phenomenal. After joining the 20 (homerun)-20 (stealing) club in the fifth first half of the KBO League history, he also achieved a “natural cycling hit (record of hitting home runs from single hits to home runs) in the first inning, a double in the third inning, a triple in the fifth inning, and a home run in the sixth inning against the Gwangju NC Dinos on the 23rd. The cycling hit was the 31st in KBO League history, and the rare natural cycling hit in the Major League (MLB) was the second record in 28 years and history since Kim Eung-guk (then Lotte Giants) in 1996. In addition, he hit home runs in three consecutive games against the Gocheok Kiwoom Heroes on the 27th, breaking the record of the youngest 100 points (20 years, 9 months and 25 days before the end of the season) and 100 points (97 games, 99 games before the end of the season).
Kim has also become busy thanks to Kim. Many people are asking for Kim’s autograph. Kim is so popular that he can’t sell his autograph because he doesn’t have a uniform. “I can’t even ask him to get an autograph (for fear of disturbing him),” Kim said with a chuckle.
BY: 토토사이트 추천