“I wanted to be more focused because I was playing against my home team in Jamsil.”
Kang Jin-sung (30-SSG Landers) made a substitute appearance against the Doosan Bears in the Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League 2023 at Jamsil Stadium on June 26. He replaced Jeon Eui-san at second base in the top of the sixth inning with his team leading 7-3.
On this day, Kang Jin-seong played his second game for SSG. He faced his former team just one day after leaving Doosan for SSG in a trade on May 25. On the 25th, he made his SSG debut as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning against the Incheon LG Twins.
In the second game, Kang got his first hit and RBI for SSG. In his first at-bat, in the top of the sixth inning, he hit a grounder to third base against reliever Park Jung-soo.
His long-awaited first hit came in his second at-bat. With the bases loaded in the top of the eighth inning and his team leading 7-3, Lee crushed a two-seam fastball from reliever Lee Hyung-beom for an RBI double. In his third at-bat, he struck out on three pitches against Kim Ho-joon.
Kang ended the day 1-for-3 with a walk and two RBIs. He came in to pinch-hit late in the game and recorded his first hit and RBI of the season.
After the game, Kang said, “I came to the plate with two outs in the top of the eighth inning. I felt like I didn’t swing confidently in my previous at-bats, so this time I swung the bat with the idea of ‘swinging confidently and hard,’ and it paid off,” he said, adding, “I also wanted to focus more because I was playing against my hometown team in my bedroom.” 안전놀이터
This year, Kang didn’t get many opportunities with Doosan, but he maintained a good hitting pace, batting .339 (21-for-62) with nine RBIs and an OPS of .844 in 21 games in the Futures League. After the trade, he tried to carry over the hitting form he showed in the Futures to the first team.
“Since the beginning of the year, my hitting and timing were good in the second team, and I got the chance to play in the first team. I wanted to come to a new team and make a contribution, and I want to continue to show the fans a good image. I ask the fans to support me as much as they do now.” He expressed his determination.
SSG head coach Kim Won-hyung also applauded Kang’s performance. “(Kang) Jinsung got his first hit and RBI after the trade, and I’m looking forward to seeing him at the plate,” he said, giving him a thumbs-up.