The key to SSG Landers’ batting lineup in the late game is infielder Jeon Eui-san. With his long batting average and home run production, the team’s batting lineup will be much more balanced if Jeon improves his hitting. The synergy between him and Eredia, who is back from his iliopsoas injury, will be exciting to watch.
Jeon already showed some of his potential last year. Jeon made his first team debut in the 2022 season, hitting .249 with 60 doubles, 13 home runs, 45 RBIs, and a .481 on-base percentage in 77 games. It was certainly an impressive debut season.
However, in the first half of the season, Jeon suffered a severe hitting slump, hitting .192/ 19 doubles/ 3 home runs/ 16 RBIs in 38 games. In addition to his first-half slump, Jeon was sent down to the Future Team with a hamstring injury and underwent a lengthy rehabilitation period.
In mid-August, SSG coach Kim Won-hyung said, “It’s true that Ui-san should be the main outfielder after Choi Jung-i in the future. However, in order to reach such a position, he must first have the ability to make contact. Most of the hitters who have hit more than 300 home runs in their career have a batting average in the 2.7-8 range. In the age of OPS, even if you have a low batting average, you should use it if it guarantees you home runs, but in the end, you can’t help but wonder how long you can maintain a good batting average if you don’t have the ability to make contact.”
On August 18, Kim called Jeon back to the first team. In six games, Jeon has batted .429 with six hits, one home run, three RBIs, and four walks. It’s encouraging to see a much improved picture of contact, which Kim has emphasized.
Speaking to the media before the game on Aug. 29, Kim said, “I could feel that (Jeon) definitely had a different mindset after going to the Future Team. In the first half, I think he was too concerned about his character (Geopo). In the end, when you hit the ball, anything can happen, and because you have power, you keep getting hits that miss. Hitters definitely need that. I’ve gotten better at swinging at pitches in my own count and trying to stay out of bad counts,” he said, giving himself a thumbs-up.
Changing his stance at the plate also led to positive results. Under the advice of hitting coach Lee Jin-young, Jeon took a half-step inside the batter’s box to deal with outside pitches.
Coach Kim said, “You have to be close to the plate to handle outside pitches. If you look at his batting mechanics, he swings at fastballs but gets stuck on changeups. When he got worse, that part disappeared, but now he mostly makes contact with the ball. Eventually, something happens when you hit it. He’s going to have to deal with his strikeout numbers on his own and the bench. He still needs to show a balance in his batting that will gradually produce hits while making contact with the ball.”
Jeon was also in the starting lineup on August 29 against the Literature Kiwoom Heroes, batting seventh and playing first base. Although the game was canceled due to rain, Jeon’s place in the lineup seems to be secure for the time being. Add to that the synergy with Eredia, who returned from injury as the No. 4 hitter, and it’s clear that the two have a lot in common.안전놀이터
It will be interesting to see if Jeon will show his true colors in the remaining games as the next big thing for the Landers after Choi.