Too much pressure.
KIA Tigers infielder Kim Kyu-sung (26) has been designated for assignment. KIA removed Kim from its first-team roster on Thursday. This is the first trip to the Futures (second team)토토사이트 for Kim, who has been playing a backup role since entering the opening day roster on 1 April.
Kim missed a hard-hit line drive hit by Lee Jung-hoon with runners on first and second base in the bottom of the third inning of a 0-0 game against the Lotte Giants at Sajik Stadium in Busan on 13 April. With two runners on and two outs, Kia surrendered the go-ahead run and kept the game close. Starting pitcher Mario Sanchez gave up four more runs after the error, and KIA eventually lost to Lotte to close out the three-game weekend series with a loss.
After Kim Kyu-sung’s error, KIA head coach Kim Jong-guk switched to Choi Jeong-yong at second base. It was one of the few times this season we’ve seen KIA make a change so early in a game, or even in the middle of an inning, rather than later in the game when injuries and wins and losses are at stake. It was analysed that the bench’s disappointment with Kim’s performance was reflected in the substitution. The day after the defeat in Busan, the news of his first-team cancellation broke.
Kim Kyu-sung spent last season in the Australian Baseball League’s Geelong Korea. He showed promise in 27 games in the Australian League, batting .281 with three home runs and an OPS of .764, and was given the backup role after receiving a passing grade during this season’s camp. He has since contributed to the first team as a backup second baseman and pinch-hitter for captain Kim Sun-bin.
KIA handed Kim Kyu-sung the second base job after Kim was sidelined with a hamstring (posterior thigh muscle) injury on 6 June. Even though Kim can’t completely fill the void left by Kim Sun-bin, the team was hopeful that Kim would settle in with his first-team experience. After Kim’s departure, Kim did his part offensively, going 3-for-9 with a double and a triple. However, he fell short in the all-important fielding department.
With Kim out of the picture, KIA will have to start looking for a new second baseman. Their current second base options are infield utility Choi Jeong-yong (26) and fourth-year player Hong Jong-pyo (23). With a three-game midweek series against the Kiwoom Heroes starting on the 15th, all eyes will be on KIA’s options.