The ESP Guitar Company

Last season, he hit 7 home runs. This year, he has already hit 8 home runs and stolen bases. He succeeded in all 10 attempts this year. '30-30' Thames' last season was in 2015.

“Doyoung, you have to live in sweat.”

The tiger cub finally showed her claws. Professional baseball Gwangju fans live for the fun of watching Kim Do-young (21, KIA, photo) these days. Kim Do-young hit a home run (8th of the season) in the first inning of a home game in Gwangju on the 21st. At the same time, he surpassed the personal record of most home runs (7) in a season set last year in 24 games. He even managed to steal his 10th base of the season in the 5th inning. He has yet to fail to steal a base. His 8 home runs are 4th in the league, and his 10 stolen bases are tied for 3rd. Currently, Kim Do-young is the only player ranked in the top five in both home runs and stolen bases.

Kim Do-young was evaluated as 'the next Lee Jong-beom' when he was a student at Dongseong High School in Gwangju. His nickname was ‘Descendant of the Wind’. He was that versatile. The reason KIA chose Kim Do-young as the first draft pick instead of Moon Dong-ju (Hanwha), who threw at a top speed of 155 km/h while attending Gwangju Jinheung High School, was because they believed in his innate talent. However, Kim Do-young did not bloom as expected in his professional career. Every time he tried to get a grip, his injuries held him back. The problem was that he was too active in base running.

Accordingly, coach Beom-ho Lee, who has taken over the leadership of KIA starting this season, suggested, “Let’s focus on long hits rather than stolen bases.” As Kim Do-young prepared for the opening of the season, he and batting coach Hong Se-wan changed his batting stance to allow his balls to fly more. In addition, Kim Do-young increased his batting speed from last year's average of 137.9 km/h (tied for 32nd) to 142.8 km/h (7th) this year. As he hit the ball harder, not only the number of home runs but also the number of hits increased, and naturally, opportunities to steal bases came more often. Coach Hong said, “I have no worries about my skills. “I’m just worried about getting hurt again,” he said.

If Kim Do-young stays healthy and maintains his current pace, he can aim to join the 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases club. If this record is achieved, Kim Do-young will become the first KIA (formerly including Haitai) player to become a member of the 30 home runs and 30 steals club in 27 years since Lee Jong-beom (30 home runs and 64 stolen bases) in 1997. Even considering all domestic players, it has been 24 years since Park Jae-hong (Hyundai at the time, 32 home runs and 30 stolen bases) in 2000, and including foreign players, it has been 9 years since Thames in 2015 (NC at the time, 47 home runs and 40 stolen bases).

MBC Sports Plus commentator Park Jae-hong, who joined the 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases club three times in 1996, 1998, and 2000, said, “Kim Do-young is fundamentally talented, but as he accumulates experience, he seems to be coming out little by little. “The process of delivering accuracy and power has improved,” he said. “From my experience, I think it is possible to join the 30 home run-30 stolen base club by hitting 13 or more home runs by May.” 스포츠토토