Lee Jin-young (28) of Hanwha Eagles changed his batting posture prior to the 2024 season. However, he failed to display confidence as he was preoccupied with form. What was more regrettable was his injury. He underwent surgery for a fractured left wrist in May last year, and underwent rehabilitation for about three months.토토사이트

In a recent interview with Sports Kyunghyang in Daejeon, Lee Jin-young said, "I tried new things and I had expectations for the results," adding, "It was psychologically difficult to think that I couldn't do anything due to injuries."

Lee Jin-young showed his potential to become the main outfielder of Hanwha with a batting average of 0.249, 10 homers, 50 RBIs and an OPS of 0.738 in 121 games in the 2023 season. However, he lacked confidence in himself. "It's not that he changed his form, but he couldn't trust himself too much. I was obsessed with the thought that it was because of his form if I missed one at-bat. His mental skills got weaker as well."

Lee Jin-young, who was registered in the first division on April 5, returned to the second division in a month, slumping with a batting average of 0.200 in 23 games. His wrist, which had been bad since he was in the first division, was no longer able to withstand during a doubleheader match against KIA in the Futures League. "I thought the second game would be difficult, but I just said I would leave," Lee Jin-young said. "I thought it would look bad if I went to the second division and got sick."

Lee Jin-young, whose injury became so serious that he couldn't move his fingers while hitting, went straight to the hospital and was diagnosed with a fractured wrist. "I heard that playing baseball in a fractured state has torn his nerves and muscles, making him unable to move his hands," he said. Lee Jin-young, who returned to the first team in late August, unfortunately ended the season with a batting average of 0.204 in 42 games.

Although he suffered ups and downs last year, Lee Jin-young is one of the candidates to compete for the main outfield in the 2025 season. So far, the position has been decided in one center field where Esteban Floral will play. Two Korean players who showed the best skills after spring camp and exhibition games are expected to fill the corner outfield. Lee Jin-young, Kim Tae-yeon, Choi In-ho and Lim Jong-chan will compete.

Lee has been sweating since the closing camp to make up for his lackluster performance in the last season. Lee reportedly trained for seven days a week without resting at the camp. The coaches even stopped him, saying, "I need to adjust my condition." "I know I am not as good as other players. I have no other choice but to practice," Lee said.

Lee Jin-young clearly remembers the advice he received from head coach Kim Kyung-moon during night practice at the camp. "I don't see him like that, but I think a lot about hitting him. The coach who knew this said, 'Don't think too much, trust what you have and relax yourself,'" he said. "These words from the coach gave me a lot of strength."

Lee Jin-young's goal this year is to play as many games as possible after playing in 42 games last season. To catch Kim's eye, he needs to prove his capability not only in hitting but also in defense and on base running. "Unlike hitting, defense and on base running have no slump," Lee Jin-young, who focused on strengthening hamstring, said. "I will contribute to the team without any ups and downs when it comes to defense and on base running."