Shin Bong-gi started as the 7th hitter shortstop in the Lotte Giants match of the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ held at Sajik Stadium on the 27th 메이저사이트.
Shin Bong-gi, who withdrew with a strikeout in his first at-bat. From the second at-bat, the true value appeared. At the beginning of the 4th inning, when the team was leading 1-0, Kyun-an Na’s cutter was hit with a cutter from 1st out and 3rd base, and he hit a sacrifice fly to get a key point to run away to 2-0. Continuing the momentum, in the top of the ninth inning, the last at-bat, with 2 out and 1 base, he made a left-handed hit against Kim Won-jung. His final performance was 1-for-3 with 1 RBI, leading the team to a 2-1 victory.
Ahead of this season, Shin Bong-ki signed a 1+1 year, 300 million won free agent (FA) contract with kt to extend his career as a player. Shin Bong-gi, who was desperate, changed his uniform number and prepared for the season with a new mindset. He handed over the number 7 to Kim Sang-soo and went back to his original intention wearing the number 56 he had used when playing for the Lotte Giants.
However, the opportunity seldom came. He also played the spring camp, the start of the season, with Futures League players, and after the season opened, he suffered from an ankle injury and had a hard time. After April 30th, he was excluded from the first team entry, and on the 26th, due to Kim Sang-soo’s injury, he joined the first team entry and received a second chance.
So far, it’s more than 100% active. The day before (26th), he played as a substitute in the second half of the game and played an active role with 2 at-bats, 1 hit and 1 RBI. In particular, he contributed to the team’s 8-6 victory by hitting a sacrifice fly with the first base loaded in the top of the 9th inning when the team was ahead 7-6. He showed a fierce swing as if he had a special determination.
Before the match, kt coach Lee Kang-cheol said, “I looked at the Futures League squad, but the most stable shortstop was (new) Bongi. They said he came with a desperate determination. I was grateful for what he did. He didn’t even smile,” he praised Shin Bong-gi, who came up to the first team with extraordinary determination.
Shinbongi who felt the will. After the game, he said, “The hiatus in the first team this season has been prolonged, and it was difficult to maintain a sense because I couldn’t play many games in the Futures. I prepared in advance what to throw well, and I think it was helpful to try to think less while at the plate.”
He then bit his lip, saying, “I always play games with a desperate heart. I was called up (to the 1st team) when the team was in a good mood, and I hope this atmosphere will be maintained.”