The KIA Tigers kept most of their house rabbits in the Stobregg this winter, ensuring that they will have a strong outfield in 2024. They retained free agent (FA) Ko Jong-wook and re-signed foreign-born outfielder Socrates Brito. Choi Hyung-woo was locked up to a non-free agent multi-year deal. Add to that Na Sung-beom, who is coming off an injury, and KIA's outfield depth is one of the strongest among the 10 teams. As far as offense goes, they are definitely a contender.

However, there is still an unfinished puzzle. The lack of a "full-time center fielder" has plagued KIA for years. For the past two seasons, the team has utilized Socrates in center field as a Plan B. The best-case scenario for the team is to have a full-time center fielder. However, the best-case scenario for KIA would be to use Socrates and Na Sung-beom in the left and right corner outfields, with a solid defensive center fielder anchoring the center line.

This scenario didn't materialize until the 2023 season. To maximize the cohesiveness of the batting lineup, the team began using Choi Won-jun, 27, a military retiree, at first base, and the outfield competition was in left field instead of center field. Socrates continued to play center field. To make matters worse, Na Sung-bum, the team's regular outfielder, was lost to injury during the season, throwing KIA's outfield game plan out of whack. 안전토토사이트

The task of finding a full-time center fielder was carried over into the new season. KIA is trying to reorganize its outfield, with existing outfielder Lee Woo-sung doubling as a first baseman. This time, the key player is Choi Won-jun. So far, he is the favorite to be the full-time center fielder.

Of course, Choi himself has a big task on his hands. In 2021, the season before he joined the military, Choi showed flashes of talent at the plate, hitting .295 with four home runs, 44 RBIs, and 82 runs scored in 143 games. Following a .326 batting average in 2020, Kia had high hopes for him as he showed consistent power for the second straight season.

However, his performance in 2023 did not live up to the past. Last year, Choi Won-jun joined the first team straight out of the military and played 67 games, but his performance was unimpressive. He batted .255 with one home run, 23 RBI, and 37 runs scored. While it was inevitable that he would be bouncing back and forth between the infield and outfield depending on the team's circumstances, it was clear that it was a season where he felt he wasn't good enough.

Looking ahead to the 2024 season, KIA's task is clear. Outfielder Choi Won-jun needs to make a spectacular comeback. With his batting accuracy and strong shoulders, if he can establish himself as a full-time center fielder, KIA will have a stronger outfield than in 2023. It's a task that can only be accomplished if Choi Won-jun continues to struggle and grow.