Busan: LG Twins catcher Park Dong-won is on track for his least productive offensive season since 2018, but his manager Youm Kyoung-youb believes the 36-year-old backstop remains a valuable member of his Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club due to his defense and game-calling skills. After equaling his career high with 22 home runs and 25 doubles last year, Park has recorded just three homers and five doubles after 43 games this season. He may not reach double figures in home runs for the first time since hitting only six in 2018, a year he played only 39 games. Park's slugging percentage is .347, which would be his lowest for a full season.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Youm stated on Wednesday that Park continues to be the most trusted catcher for his pitching staff. Except for Song Seung-ki, who has developed a strong partnership with backup catcher Lee Ju-heon, all other starters prefer pitching to Park, Youm added.
"That's why he keeps getting into our lineup even when he's struggling at the plate," Youm shared during his media availability before a road game against the Lotte Giants at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan. "He is just a steady presence back there and it's crucial for our pitchers psychologically. And Dong-won knows he has to play even when he's not feeling 100 percent."
Youm highlighted Park's in-game adjustments with starter Anders Tolhurst during Tuesday's game against the Giants. With Tolhurst struggling with his fastball command early, Park began calling for more secondary pitches, including cutter and forkball.
"Tolhurst's fastballs were all over the place, and Dong-won wanted more cutters and other breaking balls," Youm remarked. "He really managed the game well."