Choi Hyung-woo (39) keeps the KIA Tigers in the game.
KIA won 6-3 against the LG Twins in the 2023 Shinhan Bank Solar KBO League on Sunday at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju.
The victory was highlighted by the performance of starter Yang Hyun-jong, who pitched 6⅔ innings of seven-hit ball with three strikeouts and two walks to earn his 162nd win and move into sole possession of second place in the KBO. But the bats did their part to help secure the win, including Choi Hyung-woo. Choi drew two walks, stole second, and added a sacrifice fly to seal the win.
Choi is widely regarded as one of the best hitters in the KBO. Reaching his prime in 2011, Choi was one of the mainstays of the Samsung dynasty. When he decided to join KIA in free agency for 4 years and 10 billion won, there was a lot of criticism that it was an over-investment. However, he proved to be a steady performer and made another big splash as a secondary free agent and has been playing for KIA ever since.
In fact, in terms of home runs and RBIs, Choi is one of the best left fielders in the KBO. KBO and Samsung legend Yang Jun-hyuk excelled in left field and was the best hitter in the KBO, but he played a lot of designated hitter, so he’s more of a designated hitter, which is why Choi is competing with LG Twins’ Kim Hyun-soo for the position.
Regardless, Choi has consistently been one of the best hitters in the game at one position, and this season is no different. Through 28 days, he leads the league in each of the following categories: batting average, .319 (4th overall), home runs, 4 (tied for 15th), hits, 45 (tied for 19th), and RBIs, 29 (9th overall).
Back at LG Electronics, Choi’s line on the day was 2-for-2 with a walk, two strikeouts, one run scored, and one RBI. It wasn’t an outstanding performance by any stretch of the imagination.
But in baseball, hitters only get a hit about one out of every three times. That’s why they’re treated as third string hitters. But even the best hitters have their off days and their on days, and Choi’s off days are a testament to how good he is. Even his lows are high.
In the bottom of the first inning, with runners on first and third, Choi hit a sacrifice fly to center field. In the fourth inning, he drew a leadoff walk. In the bottom of the fifth, with one out, he grounded into a fielder’s choice, but the runner on first moved to second on a team-bunt. In the bottom of the sixth, he drew a bases-loaded walk. 먹튀검증
Even on days when he’s not hitting well, he helps his team with team bunting and snowballs for the team. On good days, he bombs the opposing mound. His highs are high and his lows are low, which is why we can only call him a tremendous hitter.