Kiwoom Heroes’ Lee Ju-hyung (22) drew an arch for the first time in three days.
Lee started the game against the NC Dinos at NC Park in Changwon on June 6 as the No. 5 hitter and designated hitter.
Lee joined Kiwoom from the LG Twins in a trade on March 29. He was acquired by Kiwoom in exchange for “homegrown ace” Choi Won-tae. In exchange for Choi, Kiwoom received Lee Ju-hyung, pitcher Kim Dong-gyu, and a first-round pick in the 2024 KBO draft.
Lee Jung-hoo, who won the regular season MVP award last year after hitting five home runs, is expected to challenge for the major leagues next season after missing this season with an injury.
The team needed an outfielder to fill Lee’s spot. Kiwoom hoped that Lee would be able to establish himself as the “next outfielder.
Expectations for Lee have been high since his rookie year. After joining LG in the second round (13th overall) of the 2020 Korean Baseball Organization draft, he showed off his hitting prowess in 31 games in the Futures League this year, batting .322 with three doubles and three home runs. In 93 at-bats, he struck out just 10 times and drew 22 walks. As far as hitting potential goes, he was considered the best.
After coming to Kiwoom, Lee quickly proved his worth. After hitting his first home run of the season against his hometown team, LG, on March 3, Lee followed it up with another home run just three days later.
With one out in the top of the fourth inning, down 0-5, Lee took a three-pitch fastball from 2B against NC starter Song Myung-ki. The pitch went over the right field fence. Lee’s second home run of the season. Lee’s home run gave Kiwoom a 2-5 lead.스포츠토토
After Lee’s home run changed the momentum, Kiwoom scored one more run to close the gap with NC.
Kiwoom parted ways with their main starting pitcher in a sobering realization, but they can smile at the future they are quickly establishing.