The bat of Samsung Lions outfielder Koo Ja-wook (30) is unusual.
Ja-wook Koo appeared in 13 games this season and has a batting average of 0.389 (21 hits in 54 at-bats), ranking second in batting average and third in hits in the KBO League. He hit 12 consecutive hits until the last 16th, except for the opening game against NC Dinos on the 1st.
Ja-wook Koo recorded two or more hits (multi-hits) in 9 out of 12 games in which he hit. After posting multiple hits against the LG Twins on the 8th, he continued the record for 8 consecutive games. In the 41-year history of the league, there have been only 18 instances where multiple hits have been recorded in 8 games in a row. Koo Ja-wook was listed on the list of Jin-reok.
Unfortunately, his multi-hit streak broke on the 18th against Gocheok Kiwoom. However, on this day as well, Ja-wook Koo played a role as a leadoff by showing a pioneering plan to filter out two walks.
For Koo Ja-wook, 2022 was a year of trials. He signed a multi-year non-FA (free agent) contract worth up to 12 billion won for 5 years, but had a disappointing season as injuries and sluggishness continued. In response, Ja-wook Koo voluntarily participated in the finishing camp, which is the main axis of younger players, and endured intense training.
Koo Ja-wook’s efforts are bearing fruit from the beginning of the season. It also benefited from changing the batting order with his leadoff (batter No. 1). In the meantime, he was assigned the role of advancing runners to the base and raising RBIs by being placed on the center batting line or number 2, but now he is evaluated that his swing has been simplified and better contact has become possible as he only focuses on reaching base.
According to Sports2I, a baseball statistics company, Koo Ja-wook’s miss rate (PS) has significantly decreased from 10.1% last year to 4.5% this season. This is a record that corresponds to the 60th out of 68 who filled the required at bat. He is below the league average of 8.9%. Rather, the slugging percentage also increased significantly from 0.401 last year to 0.537. He is also showing his strength as a mid-range hitter.
This season,안전놀이터 Ja-wook Koo is showing a similar pace to 2021, which was a career high season. Even at that time, Ja-wook Koo recorded a batting average of over 40% by mid-April, playing the role of an attacking spearhead, recording a batting average of 0.306 for the season, 22 homers and 27 steals, making it the first ’20 (home run)-20 (steal base) club’ after his debut. I even put my name on it. Ja-wook Koo’s recent pace is similar to that of that time. He has a good batting record and has already stolen five bases. At his current pace, it is worth aiming for a career high in the new season.
Currently, Samsung is having a difficult season as key players such as Kim Hyun-jun, Kim Jae-seong, and Kim Dong-yeop leave due to injuries. However, thanks to Ja-wook Koo who quietly held the center of the team’s batting line, he is continuing his hot offensive baseball.