He's only 19 years old, but he's impressed by the coaches, and he's already a high school graduate of KIA's 'third baseman → center fielder.'
He's only 19 years old, but he's impressed by the coaches, and he's already a high school graduate of KIA's 'third baseman → center fielder.'
Blog Article
He is a rookie who has not played in the first division yet, and many people are praising him. KIA Tigers outfielder Park Jae-hyun has clearly impressed the coaching staff.
After graduating from Incheon High School, Park Jae-hyun entered the professional arena after receiving Kia's 25th overall pick in the third round of the 2025 KBO Rookie Draft. After joining the club, Park had high expectations as he immediately went to the Kochi Finishing Camp in Japan.메이저사이트
Park, who was a third baseman in high school, changed his position from a professional to an outfielder. "Since I didn't specialize in outfielders, I'm going to start over from the basics in this final camp," Park said at the beginning of the wrap-up training.
His first impression was positive. "When I saw Jin Gap-yong (Futures) doing it in Kochi, he strongly recommended it to me. He said, 'I think something came in.' Lee said, "When I came to the camp, I had a totally different story. I thought DOYOUNG was quick enough."
"He is good at making infield hits, making a lot of good pitches, and he is quite adaptable to playing defense while looking at center field," Lee continued. "In the closing camp for the first time, I often played backward when a fly ball came out, then forward and turned backward. I heard that he is adapting very well now and that his defense has improved," he said.
His performance at the batter's box also received favorable reviews. "Since he had two strikes through foul play and check swing, he made short steps and played in contact style. So I thought, 'He has such a good sense.' He also said, "If I raise him well, I think I can find a good player in the outfield."
Park Jae-hyun played as a substitute in both of the first two consecutive exhibition games against the Lotte Giants held at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on Saturday and Sunday. On the first day, center fielder Choi Won-joon hit a base run, and grounded out to second to Kim Sang-soo in the eighth inning. He also garnered a walk to Jeong Cheol-won at bat in the top of the eighth inning on Sunday, and succeeded in getting on base for the first time.
Later, Park Jae-hyun was listed in the starting lineup as the second batter and center fielder at a game against the NC Dinos held at Changwon NC Park on Saturday. After facing Choi Sung-young, the starting left-hander, at his first at-bat in the top of the first inning, Park continued to stage a persistent game by making three consecutive fouls, and eventually managed to get on base by walking after eight pitches. He also stole second base at the next batter Kim Sun-bin's at-bat.
Park Jae-hyun, who stepped down with a fly ball to right field in the third inning, caused an opponent's check error after getting on base with an infield grounder in the fifth inning, and stepped home when Kim Sun-bin made a timely hit. In the top of the seventh inning, he then hit a tricky slider from left-handed pitcher Lim Jung-ho to score a hit in front of right field, setting the stage for his pursuit.
Park had one hit, two walks and one run scored and one stolen base from three at-bats for five times at bat. He displayed good performance at exhibition games, giving him hope to enter the opening entry.