In the KBO League, the manager’s authority has been somewhat reduced compared to the past, but it is still very powerful. In particular, if it is not a rookie command tower, but a ‘career position’ that has commanded other teams, the manager’s authority is inevitably strong. If a ‘experienced manager’ is appointed due to the replacement of the command tower, the team color may be completely different from before.
The LG Twins, who had not won for 28 years since the 1994 combined championship until last year, appointed manager Yeom Gyeong-yeop last winter. Former manager Ryu Ji-hyun recorded the most wins in the club’s history last year, but failed to renew the contract after being eliminated after being ‘upset’ at the first gate of fall baseball during his two-year term. Director Yeom Gyeong-yeop, who was in charge of the command tower of Nexen Heroes and SK Wyverns, will lead LG.
Director Yeom Kyung-yeop emphasizes ‘running baseball’. LG’s team steals 27, almost twice as many as the 2nd place Doosan Bears’ 14. Perhaps thanks to his active stealing, LG’s average point per game is 6.14, which is second in the league. In the game against LG, there is a tendency for other teams to be conscious of LG runners’ aggressive attempts to steal bases.
However, there are also views that question whether ‘running baseball’ is really effective. LG’s stealing success rate is 65.9%, which is lower than the league average stealing success rate of 69.9%. In particular, LG’s table setter Hong Chang-ki’s success rate of base stealing is 50%, and Moon Seong-joo’s base stealing success rate is low at 42.9%. Hong Chang-ki and Moon Seong-joo’s failure to steal the base in front of the center lineup led by Kim Hyun-soo, Austin, and Moon Bo-kyung often cut off the attack flow. LG also has 8 Jurusa,토스카지노 the most along with Hanwha Eagles.
Stealing carries the risk of injury. Captain Oh Ji-hwan succeeded in stealing two bases against Gocheok Kiwoom Heroes on the 6th, but was excluded from the first team on the next day, the 7th, due to a side injury. Prior to the game on the 6th, Oh Ji-hwan, who suffered from side pain, was poisoned by his reckless stealing attempt. Frequent stealing attempts can cause physical strain in the long run.
Until last year, LG’s strength was its solid defense. Last year, LG’s team errors were the lowest in the league with 89. However, this season, LG has 17 errors, which is the second most after the NC Dinos’ 18. The advantage of LG, which minimized runs through stable defense, cannot be found this year.
Seo Kun-chang committed 5 errors and ranked first in the league, and Kim Min-seong and Moon Bo-kyung each tied for 2nd place with 3 mistakes. Veteran Kim Min-seong takes over as shortstop instead of Oh Ji-hwan, and there is an unavoidable aspect. However, it is not avoiding controversy over whether it is appropriate to continue to entrust Seo Geon-chang as the starting second baseman.
As of the 17th, LG has a 9-5 win rate of 0.643, and is chasing SSG Landers, the first place, without riding, so the start is not bad. However, when looking into the contents of LG’s game, concerns are being raised that it is very cluttered with stealing, running, and defensive errors one after another. The accumulation of negative indicators will adversely affect team performance.
In order for LG to win the presidency for the first time in 29 years, voices are growing that reducing running and defensive errors is an urgent priority. Attention is focusing on whether coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop will reduce LG’s weaknesses and revive its strengths to achieve its long-awaited victory.