“I think I’ve accumulated a certain amount of knowledge about what I need to do at the plate.”

The mention of Ha Jae-hoon brought a bright smile to SSG Landers manager Kim Won-hyung’s face.

SSG manager Kim Won-hyung spoke about Ha Jae-hoon before the team’s home game against the LG Twins in the 2023 KBO on 22 April at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul.

Ha Jae-hoon, who started in left field and batted sixth against Jamsil LG the previous day (21st), went 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, two runs scored and two stolen bases to help SSG to a 6-4 victory.

Kim said of Ha, “First of all, his timing on the ball has improved since he went to Geelong Korea last year. Before that, I was in and out of the (Futures League), but I still played a lot of first-team games. I went to Geelong Korea on my own initiative, and I think I found my thing,” he said, giving a thumbs-up.

In truth, Ha’s progress this season has been far from smooth. He fractured his shoulder blade in Okinawa’s spring training camp and didn’t make his first appearance until May. Then, on the 12th of last month, he was sidelined with a fractured left thumb.

He returned to the team on the 21st and made an immediate impact.

Coach Kim Won-hyung said, “Ha Jae-hoon was fine until he got injured in Okinawa, and he was good in camp. He was good until he got injured, came back, and injured his finger,” Kim said, adding, “I think he’s accumulated a lot of experience on how to do things at the plate.”

Kim went on to say, “(Ha) has improved technically in terms of pitching and timing, not just the timing of the pitch and the ball, but the timing of when he can see the ball at the plate. I think that’s why he’s hitting so well.” “He’s also done a lot better with two-strikes. Last year, I struck out a lot after two strikes, but now I make a lot of contact. I’ve got the power, so I’m getting what they call balls in play after two strikes. It’s because I’m getting the timing right,” the analyst said.

However, Ha has suffered so many injuries this year that Kim Won-hyung must have some concerns about him.

“He needs to slide on the basepaths. Yesterday, Jae-hoon stole a base and that’s how you create chances for the team. I try not to think about it when I’m playing,” he said, “but when I’m defending and I’m sliding too much, I’m a little worried.”

The timing of the return of Guillermo Heredia, the team’s top batting average (.339), who left for the United States on the 10th to become a US citizen, is still up in the air. According to the original plan, he should have already returned home and played in the game, but due to problems with his passport, he returned home at 5 p.m. today.스포츠토토

Coach Kim Won-hyung said, “I told him to just go home today. Tomorrow (23rd), I’ll come out and have a quick training session and see my face,” said Kim Won-hyung, “I’ve been away for about 10 days. I have to adjust to the time difference and see how I feel. I will decide when to join the team by seeing how they train from tomorrow.”

Meanwhile, SSG lined up with Choo Shin-soo (right fielder), Choi Ji-hoon (centre fielder), Choi Jeong (designated hitter), Choi Joo-hwan (second baseman), Park Sung-sung (shortstop), Ha Jae-hoon (left fielder), Kim Sung-hyun (third baseman), Kim Min-sik (catcher), and Kang Jin-sung (first baseman). The starting pitcher is Roenis Elias.