“If you control your weight well, you can grow enough.”
The potential is plentiful. If it grows as expected, it can also quench the thirst for Uta Geopo, which has increased in rarity in the league. However, there is homework. It’s weight management. If you solve the problem given to you, you can take your place as the center hitter of SSG Landers. Kim Gun-woong (23) is receiving his high expectations in the spring camp.
Kim Gun-woong, from Hwasun High School and Yonsei University, joined SSG with the 45th overall pick in the 5th round in the 2023 draft. Kim Geon-woong, who was in his senior year, recorded a batting average of 0.348 (24 hits in 69 bats, 5 homers), an on-base percentage of 0.448, a slugging percentage of 0.609, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.057 in 21 games. Kim Geon-woong, who has a heavy physique of 186 cm in height and 115 kg in weight, also recorded 3 stolen bases.
Initially, Kim Gun-woong was excluded from the first team spring camp list. However, because Noh Kyung-eun had to undergo gallbladder removal surgery, he had to stay in Korea, and the coaching staff selected Kim Gun-woong as a replacement. Kim Gun-woong seizes an unexpected opportunity. He made his presence known in spring camp and caught the attention of the coaching staff.
Hitting coach Jinyoung Lee, whom we recently met at the 2023 SSG Spring Camp in Vero Beach, Florida, USA, said, “I think new players improve their skills just by training with the best players in the first team. Kim Gun-woong is also showing a good figure. . He is the type of hitter that every team wants. He is very talented.”
But there is a concern. It is Kim Gun-woong’s weight. Coach Lee said, “Weight management is the biggest concern. First of all, Kim Gun-woong has to go on a diet. He needs to lose weight to play the season. There is a high possibility that he will gain weight again once he enters the season. If he wants to do well in the first team, You have to lose weight. It depends on your will.”
Unlike his massive physique, his quickness is evaluated as good. It is not a situation where he can play in the first team right away, but if he steps먹튀검증 step by step, it is expected that he will be able to show his presence in the pro. Coach Lee said, “He has good agility. He has bat power. He is a talented player, so it would be nice to have a clear position. You can’t surpass first-team players right away. Existing players also went through a step-by-step process and got their positions. I will bring out the maximum growth at the camp,” he said, revealing his anticipation for Kim Gun-woong.
The KBO League has a high percentage of left-handed hitters. Naturally, the number of right-handed hitters has decreased, and the number of double-headed players is more scarce. Excluding players in their mid-to-late 30s such as Park Byung-ho, Choi Jeong, and Yang Eui-ji, there are no outstanding right-handed sluggers in their 20s. If Kim Gun-woong grows as expected, SSG is expected to have a rare Uta Geopo.