(By Yoo Jun-sang, ExSports News Suwon) KT Wiz head coach Lee Kang-cheol praised infielder Lee Ho-yeon for fitting in perfectly with the team after the trade.
Lee, who was acquired from the Lotte Giants in a one-for-one trade on March 19, has been receiving playing time since joining 먹튀검증KT. In particular, he made his presence felt in a home game against the Samsung Lions at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on April 18, going 4-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs. Although KT lost to Samsung 5-7 that day, they took solace in Lee’s performance.
KT manager Lee Kang-cheol was also pleased with Lee’s performance. “We lost that game, but Lee Ho-yeon made the game interesting by hitting long balls,” Lee said before the home game against the Lotte Giants on the 20th. “It was good to see some long balls, as we had only been hitting singles.”
“My batting average wasn’t good at first (when I joined the team), but I was making good contact and the quality of my pitches. That day (Aug. 18), it just exploded, and I think it worked out because I hit a lot against left-handed pitchers. I wasn’t good against left-handers until I came to KT, but I think I’ve improved a lot now.”
Lee Ho-yeon also gets a passing grade for his offense. “I thought about playing defense (as a second baseman) anyway, and since (Park) Kyung-soo is playing good defense behind him, I think we can take turns,” Lee said. “Choi Jae-dae, Kim Min-hyuk, (enlisted) Shim Woo-joon, and Jang Jun-won are all his age, and he seems to be adapting well to the team.”
Lee Ho-yeon was also named in the starting lineup for the match on the 20th. KT’s lineup was Kim Min-hyuk (left fielder), Jeong Jun-young (right fielder), Anthony Alford (designated hitter), Park Byung-ho (first baseman), Jang Sung-woo (catcher), Lee Ho-yeon (second baseman), Hwang Jae-gyun (third baseman), Bae Jeong-dae (center fielder), and Jang Jun-won (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Choi Byeol-seong.
In the middle of the lineup, Lee has gone at least five innings in each of his six games since May. In his most recent outing, on April 14 against the Incheon SSG Landers, he pitched five innings and allowed one run on five hits with four walks and four strikeouts.
“Even if he gives up a walk, he’s been pitching steadily lately, and his velocity has increased, so I think he’s getting better,” Lee said.