“I think he can perform better if the environment or atmosphere changes.”
KIA Tigers manager Lee Beom-ho said this about newly signed outfielder Ye Jin-won (25).
KIA signed Ye, who was recently claimed off waivers from the Kiwoom Heroes. “We decided to sign him based on his potential and growth,” said a KIA official, expressing expectations that he will help strengthen the outfield depth.
Ye was far from a standout performer growing up. He was drafted in the second round of the 2018 rookie draft and was considered to be a hitter with potential. However, in 117 KBO games with Kiwoom so far this year, he’s batted just 1-for-7 (33-for-190) with two home runs, 13 RBIs, and a .518 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage).
He was rated as an above-average defensive and on-base player, but neither offense nor defense reached their potential.
Kia’s outfield depth is solid. In addition to the mainstays of Na Sung-beom and Choi Won-joon Socrates, they have Lee Chang-jin, Go Jong-wook, and Kim Ho-ryung as backups. This is why it’s unlikely that Ye Jin-won will be able to break into the first team anytime soon, even if he does wear a KIA uniform. 바카라사이트 추천 He’ll have to prove himself at the Futures (second team) level to get a chance.
Kia coach Lee Beom-ho also focused on Ye’s potential, saying, “He’s a player I saw before he joined the team. I felt that he didn’t perform well compared to what he had,” he recalled. “He has good qualities and is a high draft pick,” he said, adding, ”I think he can be of much greater value depending on how he is prepared. I think he could do well in a different environment, a different atmosphere.” He is hoping for a “change of atmosphere” like Seo Gun-chang, who requested his release from the LG Twins last year and rebounded in a KIA uniform.