Seoul: In a move reminiscent of a famous scene from the film “Moneyball,” Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyoung offered strategic advice to his struggling third baseman, Son Ho-young, during the opening of the 2025 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season against the LG Twins. Kim’s message to Son was clear: slow things down.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Son Ho-young had an impressive 2024 season, achieving a batting average of .317 with 18 home runs and 78 RBIs, setting personal records. The 30-year-old third baseman, however, struggled during spring training this year, managing only 2 hits in 22 at-bats over eight games, which included four strikeouts, leaving him appearing lost at the plate.
Despite these struggles, Son was included in the Opening Day lineup, though Kim decided to move him from his usual third spot to the seventh position in the batting order. Kim explained to reporters at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul that the decision was made to place Son in a more comfortable position, considering his recent performance.
Kim attributed Son’s difficulties to his tendency to be overly aggressive at the plate. “He is always trying to attack and get after pitchers,” Kim noted. The manager observed that after a few poor games, Son often rushes his swing in an attempt to quickly find solutions, emphasizing the need for Son to slow down his approach.
Despite the challenges, Kim found some encouragement in Son’s performance during batting practice, suggesting that improvement might be on the horizon.