FIRST BASEMAN NA SEUNG-YEOP SECOND BASEMAN KIM MIN-SEONG... LOTTE COACH KIM TAE-HYUNG SAYS, "THE IDEA IS OVER"



Checking power in two matches against Chiba Lotte... “Overall satisfied”

Final thoughts on entry for the opening game in remaining practice games with domestic teams.

The outline of the starting fielders for the 2024 season of the professional baseball Lotte Giants, which announced a re-challenge for fall baseball by hiring coach Kim Tae-hyung, a 'championship contractor', has almost been decided.

After the exchange match with Chiba Lotte Marines of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) at Itoman Nishizaki Stadium in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 25th, Manager Kim said, “The pitchers had better ball control than expected, and the fielders were also good.

“I am satisfied overall,” he commented.

Lotte lost 3-7 in the first game and 1-8 in the second game in two exchanges with Chiba Lotte, but successfully checked the players’ condition through actual games.

The outline of the starting fielders was almost revealed. casinositewiki.com

The starting catcher, Yoo Kang-nam, will guard the home, and the designated hitter position will be filled by Jeon Jun-woo, who declared his intention to remain as a free agent (FA).

The main players in the outfield are left fielder Kim Min-seok, center fielder Victor Reyes, and right fielder Yoon Dong-hee.

The infield is expected to be filled by first baseman Na Seung-yeop, second baseman Kim Min-seong, shortstop Noh Jin-hyuk, and third baseman Han Dong-hee.

Manager Kim said, "I think I'll leave first base to Na Seung-yeop.

If Na Seung-yeop goes to third base, Han Dong-hee has nowhere to go.

Han Dong-hee has a strong arm, so he can throw strongly from third base.

Na Seung-yeop is tall (190 cm), so he feels mentally comfortable when other fielders throw,” he explained.

Second base, where he had the most trouble, was given priority to veteran transfer Kim Min-seong.

Manager Kim said, “It can change a little depending on the type of pitcher.”

“Even if there is, I think I will bring in Kim Min-seong first,” he said, adding, “Ko Seung-min also has a very good sense of hitting and is good at second base defense.

He is a player who can also go to the outfield.

“I expected that he would be of great use.”

The mound was also somewhat outlined.

Charlie Barnes and Aaron Wilkerson are the foreign one-two punchers, while Park Se-woong and Na Kyun-an are holding firm as the domestic starting one-two punchers.

The remaining 5th starting spot is filled with Han Hyun-hee and Lee In-bok, with even Kim Jin-wook joining the competition.

The bullpen lineup is Koo Seung-min, Choi Jun-yong, Park Jin-hyung, and Kim Sang-soo, and the closer is Kim Won-joong.

Manager Kim said, "The pitchers have almost been inspected.

Overall, the pace is good.

I increased the pace more than I expected, but the seniors said, 'It is better to raise it and adjust it first.'"

After completing an exchange match with Chiba Lotte, Lotte started with Samsung Lions (27th), KIA Tigers (28th), KT Wiz (March 1), Hanwha Eagles (March 2), and KIA (March 3). A total of five practice games will be held against KBO League clubs.

Lotte's return date is the 5th of next month.

Coach Kim said, “The batting order has been roughly decided, but we will check it by using several players in games against domestic clubs,” and added, “All that remains now is to decide on the first team entry for the opening game.”