Is it the temperament of a slow starter?
KIA Tigers Socrates Brito’s all-season departure. Not much different from last year. His batting average in 14 games until the 20th was .259 (15 hits in 58 at-bats), 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.625. There is not much difference from the same period last year (batting average 2.18, 1 home run, 7 RBIs, OPS 0.616).
In terms of content, this year’s start is a little worse. Of the 12 hits Socrates made in 14 games last year, the percentage of long hits was 33.3% (먹튀검증two doubles, one triple, and one home run). However, out of 15 hits this season, only two were long hits (one double, one home run). He picked 4 walks while striking out 14 last year, and this season, with 4 walks and 13 strikeouts, is also similar. Although it is the very beginning of the season with not many indicators, it is certainly regrettable that it is starting not much different from last year.
KIA coach Kim Jong-guk analyzed, “It’s not like Socrates can’t catch the timing itself like last season.” However, he pointed out, “If you look at the ratio of balls made in chance situations, the proportion of ground balls is higher than fly balls.” Socrates’ ground ball-fly ball ratio was 0.81 at the same time last year, but it is 0.45 so far this year. Coach Kim said, “I think the hitting point is a bit late rather than a timing problem.”
Since the end of April of last year, Socrates has sharply raised the sense of hitting. During the month of April, his batting average was only 2.2 7, but in May he hit 4. 1. 5 Lee. Socrates, who showed excellent hitting throughout the first half, slowed down due to an injury at the beginning of the second half, but after recovering, he recorded a batting average of .
KIA, which suffered a severe blow at the beginning of the season, is showing signs of recovery little by little by making big innings in a row against Lotte in three consecutive matches during the week. However, all three games showed a concentration of runs scored in one inning. The concentration shown when the opponent’s mound was shaken is highly praised, but after that, it ended in a losing series without being able to properly utilize the chance. With Na Seong-beom, the central hitter, injured, Socrates desperately needs a rebound in order to gain more strength in a chance situation. Coach Kim predicted, “If Socrates gets better, he will be able to help the team more.”
Socrates has established himself as an indispensable player in the KIA line-up through his outstanding performance in the first year of his membership. Will he be able to write a success story in his second season in Korea? KIA just wants Socrates to show a dramatic rebound like last year as soon as possible.