By Yi Whan-woo
Lotte Giants slugger Lee Dae-ho is in good shape to sweep the batting titles again as the season approaches the half-way mark, looking to repeat last year’s success of topping the seven categories.
Lee now stands atop in home runs (17), RBIs (60), hits (86), and slugging percentage (.634) in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) as of Monday, and sits second in hitting average (.366), and on-base percentage (.451). He also is ranked seventh in runs with 42. Some speculate Lee may be able to emulate last year’s achievement if he can continue his good form.
Lee, weighing more than 100 kilograms, won all of the above categories except for stolen bases last year. His success was partly attributed to another Giant slugger Hong Seong-heun. Hong was considered a strong competitor in a number of categories before he suffered an injury in the middle of this season.
Unlike last year, Lee has been competing without such support. He also hurt his knee in the pre-season with which he struggled at the beginning of the campaign.
Giants batting coach Kim Moo-kwan praised Lee as the slugger has overcome somewhat unfavorable circumstances.
“The situation Lee faces this year is completely different from last season,” Kim said.
“He has not had the same support from his teammates, and the pitchers from opposing teams are trying to bring Lee down.
“I think Lee is great for performing so well considering all those factors, and I think he will likely repeat last year’s success,” the coach added.
Kia Tigers batting coach Lee Gun-yeol also thinks Lee has the potential to take at least seven titles, as he said Lee is “faithful to the basics.”
“Lee has found his rhythm and his pace this season is extremely good,” the Tigers coach said.
“The way he hits ball is superb, in terms of timing, accuracy and power, and I think his batting form explains everything about his possibility to win the titles.”
The one area the Tigers coach was concerned about, however, was injury that can occur at any time and how the team plays.