The KBO will implement expanded rosters on September 1. Each team will be able to add up to five players. In addition to strengthening the roster, it’s also a chance for teams to see how their prospects are performing in the Futures League.
Kim Seok-hwan, the KIA left-handed slugger who has been called the “next Lee Seung-yeop,” did not receive a call-up to the first team. Instead, Park Jun-pyo, Kim Dae-yu (pitcher), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Hwang Dae-in (infielder) were given the opportunity to earn a spot on the first team roster.
Kim Seok-hwan put on a batting show in the Futures’ first game against Samsung at Gyeongsan Ballpark on April 1 to make up for not receiving a first-team call-up. Batting in the No. 4 spot, Kim racked up five hits, including two home runs, to help his team win the game.
After leading off the second inning, Kim struck out swinging on a full count against Samsung starter Choi Ha-neul. There were no second outs. Trailing 0-1 in the fourth inning, Kim stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs, and on a 3B-0S favorable pitch count, he pulled four pitches and connected with a superior solo arch. The ball traveled a whopping 130 meters.
Trailing 1-4 with runners on first and third in the sixth inning, Kim hit a sacrifice fly to right field, and trailing 2-4 with runners on first and second in the eighth inning, he sent a pitch over the fence. Samsung’s first-round pick, Choi Chung-yeon, drew a 6-pitch walk on a 2B-2S count to rob Woo Jung-wol of a three-run homer. 5-4 reversal.안전놀이터
KIA defeated Samsung, 7-5. After starter Kim Ki-hoon (3⅔ innings, 3 hits, 2 walks, 5 strikeouts, 3 runs (2 earned)), second-round pick Yu Ji-sung pitched 3⅓ innings, 3 hits (1 HR), 2 walks, 3 strikeouts, and 1 run for his seventh win of the season. Kang added the save with two innings of one-hit ball, two strikeouts and one run (unearned). Kim Min-soo and Choi Soo-bin had multi-hit games.
Kim Seok-hwan hasn’t really shown what he can do in the first team this season. In four games, he went 1-for-14. On the other hand, he is unbeatable in the Futures stage. He leads the league in home runs (16) and RBIs (61). In his last 10 games, he is batting 4-for-6 with 15 doubles (32 RBI), six home runs, and 22 RBI.
As he continues to show off his bat on the Futures stage, we wonder if he’ll be given a chance to move up to the big leagues. He needs to be called up to the big leagues when he’s hitting well to really showcase his talent.