Kang Sung-ho, a player who has dedicated nearly two decades of his baseball career to playing as an infielder, is making a significant positional change to the outfield. This strategic shift aims to leverage his strong hitting abilities, a decision influenced by team needs and his own desire to remain an active contributor on the field.
From Infield to Outfield: A Strategic Move
For approximately 20 years, since his middle school days, Kang Sung-ho has been a fixture in the infield. However, the landscape of the Doosan Bears baseball team has prompted a reevaluation of his role. Following the departure of import pitcher Dan Blackmon and a period of adjustment for other players, the team’s management sought ways to best utilize Kang’s offensive strengths.
Kim Won-hyung, the Doosan Bears’ manager, revealed the plan to utilize Kang Sung-ho in the outfield during the second half of the season. This decision came to light during the team’s final training session for the Olstar 휴식기 (rest period) held at Jamsil Stadium. The team had already seen changes in its outfield lineup, with players like Kim Min-seok and Ryu Seung-min taking on key roles. The addition of infielder Yoo Se-young, who can also play first and third base, as a new foreign player further solidified the infield, creating an opportunity for Kang’s transition.
Addressing Roster Changes and Opportunities
The team had previously brought in infielder Yoo Se-young, who was capable of playing first and third base, as a new foreign player. After completing his visa process, Se-young was slated to debut at first base in the first game of the second half against the NC Dinos on July 16th in Changwon. This move by Se-young meant that Kang Sung-ho’s established position at first base became less certain.
Compounding the situation, both the outfield and infield experienced unexpected changes. Ryu Seung-min, who had been playing in Blackmon’s former outfield position, found himself in a slump. Meanwhile, Kang Sung-ho was called upon to fill in at first base for the second team, replacing Yang Seok-hwan who was struggling in the minor league. In July, Kang demonstrated his hitting prowess, batting.429 with 2 home runs and 14 RBIs in 8 games for the first team, playing at first base.
Kang Sung-ho’s Perspective on the Transition
Faced with the prospect of limited playing time due to Se-young’s arrival at first base, Kang Sung-ho embraced the challenge of moving to the outfield. He expressed his willingness to adapt, stating, “I’ve never played outfield before. I played a little in elementary school, but exclusively infield since middle school.” He added, “When I’m hitting well, it’s better to be on the field contributing than sitting in the dugout. This situation allows me to maintain my rhythm and perform well, which is good for me.”
The Challenges of a New Position
Transitioning to a new position, especially one as demanding as the outfield, presents considerable challenges. Kang admitted, “It’s difficult. I’ve been practicing outfield for a few days, and it’s tough.” He elaborated on the differences: “Infielders react to balls hit over their heads, but outfielders have to judge balls coming from the front. My infielder instincts sometimes kick in, causing me to move too quickly. I’ve heard that outfielders need to wait about two seconds after the ball is hit before reacting, but I tend to start moving instinctively as soon as the ball is in the air, which is difficult.”
The team’s home stadium, Jamsil Baseball Stadium, is known for its expansive outfield, adding another layer of difficulty to Kang’s adaptation. “The ballpark is large, so the coverage area is wide. It’s a concern, but I have to do it to make a living,” Kang stated, highlighting his sense of responsibility as a father of twins.
Support and Training for the New Role
Kang Sung-ho’s outfield training is being overseen by fielding coach Im Jae-hyun. The team also boasts several skilled outfielders, such as Jung Soo-bin and Cho Soo-haeng, who can offer guidance. While Kang hasn’t yet sought advice from his new outfield teammates due to the whirlwind of the transition, he is actively studying the game.
“Coach Im Jae-hyun sends me a lot of videos of skilled outfielders like Kim Kang-min, Mike Trout, and Kevin Kiermaier via mobile messenger. It’s proving to be very helpful for my study,” Kang shared.
Future Aspirations in the Outfield
When asked about his aspirations as an outfielder, Kang Sung-ho focused on the fundamentals. “I’m not thinking about things like home run robberies or diving catches yet. My main goal is to catch the balls hit my way consistently and relay them accurately to the infielders. I just want to handle the balls hit around me without errors.” He expressed his readiness to contribute whenever called upon: “I don’t know when or in what situation I’ll be called upon, but I’ll be prepared mentally and ready to play at any time.”
Managerial Confidence and Expectations
Manager Kim Won-hyung confirmed that Kang Sung-ho is expected to make his outfield debut during one of the four games against the NC Dinos, starting July 16th in Changwon. “We plan for Kang Sung-ho to play in the outfield for one of the games during the four-game series,” Kim stated.
Kim elaborated on the thought process behind the decision: “I’ve put a lot of thought into how to best utilize Kang Sung-ho’s hitting ability. He has a quick first step and is good at handling infield ground balls. After discussing with the fielding coach, we concluded that he has the potential.” He acknowledged the inherent risks: “Of course, I’m cautious because he lacks experience, but this is a decision I have to make boldly. He may not be as stable as a professional outfielder, but I want to put him in games and evaluate his performance.”
The manager’s confidence in Kang’s athletic ability and hitting prowess suggests a belief that he can adapt and contribute effectively, even with limited experience in his new role. This strategic gamble by the Doosan Bears aims to inject more offensive power into their lineup and find a way to keep a valuable hitter actively involved in the game.
