Gwangju:Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man expressed confidence in veteran outfielder Choi Hyoung-woo's ability to perform at a high level during the ongoing South Korean baseball postseason, despite ongoing doubts about his defensive skills.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Choi, at 42, is the oldest player in the second round of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason. He will make his second consecutive start in left field against the Kia Tigers, as Koo Ja-wook, the regular left fielder, is restricted to designated hitter duties due to a recent hamstring injury.
Choi, who typically serves as the Lions' designated hitter, was benched during the team's 5-1 loss in Game 1 but made a significant impact in Game 2 with a home run and an outfield assist, contributing to an 8-3 victory. Manager Park plans to continue fielding Choi in left as the series moves to the larger Gwangju-Kia Champions Field.
Park emphasized Choi's familiarity with the stadium, having played for the Tigers from 2017 to 2025. Park believes that Choi's defensive abilities are underestimated and that his presence in the field positively influences the team.
The best-of-five series is currently tied at one game each, and Park highlighted the importance of the first inning in the upcoming Game 3. He noted that their starter, Choi Won-tae, has struggled in early innings but possesses the potential for strong mid-game performance. Winning the starting pitching battle is crucial for securing an advantage in later innings.