Kiwoom Heroes set the goal of winning the 2023 season. Returning foreign hitter Edison Russell (29) holds the key.
Russell showed good defense in an exhibition game against Doosan Bears held at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 27th. In the top of the 5th inning, with Kiwoom leading 2-0, Doosan hitter Kim Dae-han’s fast and strong ball was blocked with a bent leg slide. He briefly dropped the ball, but quickly caught it again and threw it in a lying position, putting out quick runner Lee Yu-chan from second base. It was an exhibition match, but he drew attention with his unrepentant appearance.
Director Kiwoom Hong Won-ki said, “Russell has changed his mindset since returning from spring camp in the United States (Scottsdale, Arizona). It seems that he has clearly set his personal goals.
Russell joined Kiwoom as a substitute foreign hitter in July 2020. He was noted for his career as one of the members who led the Chicago Cubs to victory in the Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series in 2016. However, Russell only had a batting average of 0.254 and 2 home runs in 65 games he played. He was also worried about defense. Immediately after joining Kiwoom, he started as a shortstop, the main position, but from September he gave up his seat to Ha-seong Kim and took on the second baseman. His contract renewal also failed.
Kiwoom re-recruited such Russell in December of last year (2022). After breaking up with foreign hitter Yasiel Puig in the 2022 season, who was accused of perjury in an investigation related to illegal gambling, he had to fill the gap. Originally, he considered recruiting an outfielder, but turned his attention to an infielder by signing with Futures free agent Lee Hyung-jong.
It’s rare to get back together with a player who has obviously failed. Ko Hyeong-wook, general manager of Kiwoom Kiwoom, explained, “I thought that in order to achieve good results (the center line from catcher to center fielder had to be strong.”) In the Mexican League last year, where Russell played for Acereros de Monclova, he had a batting average of 0.348 and 24 home runs. It was also noted that
last year’s Kiwoom shortstop was taken by Kim Hui-jip, the first round of the 2021 rookie draft.,It seemed that he would grow further as he entered the third year of his professional debut, but Kiwoom filled the shortstop with foreign players. Even if the growth rate of the prospect slows, it was a will to strengthen this position and aim for a win-now. Last year’s runner-up team Kiwoom’s goal this year is to win. Kiwoom has a splendid top batting order
. KBO League Most Valuable Player (MVP) Lee Jung-hoo is expected to hit number 3 and national team infielder Kim Hye-seong will hit number one
. It was sluggish with no hits in 5 consecutive games, but it recovered its hitting feeling starting with the match against the Hanwha Eagles on the 19th and scored 3 RBIs, including a home run, in the match against the Samsung Lions on the 24th 안전놀이터
. The coach was confident that Russell had improved not only his batting skills, but also his training and game attitude, and praised Russell for preparing well from camp to actual battle ahead of the final match against Doosan on the 28th.
The reason why the command tower is trying to revive the flag is clear. This is because Russell is Kiwoom’s key player this season.