Kim Bum-seok's desperation to lead LG's offense

For LG Twins catcher Kim Bum-seok, every at-bat is important.  

Kim batted sixth in the lineup in the second game of a three-game weekend series against the Kia Tigers of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Jamsil Stadium on Sunday. He went 1-for-3 with one home run, two RBIs, one run scored, and one walk to lead his team to a 6-3 victory.

The quiet Kim came alive when the team needed him most. With his team trailing 2-3 in the bottom of the fourth inning, Kim lined a four-seam fastball from opposing starter Hwang Dong-ha for a two-run home run (his second of the season). The ball had a 26-degree launch angle and traveled 120 meters at a speed of 170 kilometers per hour to make it 4-3.

After the comeback, LG swept KIA in a nail-biter in the final inning of the game to clinch the three-game weekend series. Kim Bum-seok, who hit the game-winning home run in the first game of the SSG Landers doubleheader on Nov. 21, followed it up with a two-run shot in the second game of the doubleheader to lead the team to victory.

Kim Bum-seok was named the Man of the Match after the game. “In my first at-bat, I got a bad pitch in a favorable count. I kept expecting a changeup, and I knew that if I kept waiting for it, I would get a pitch that I could hit. It helped me to hit a home run,” he said. ”Hitting coach Mo Chang-min gave me that advice. I followed it and it helped me a lot.”

This week, Kim Bum-seok has continued to make his way into LG's starting lineup. He started seven games in a row, starting with Game 1 of a doubleheader against the SSG Landers on the 21st. He is proving that he belongs there. In those seven games, he's batting .308 (8-for-26) with two home runs and seven RBIs. He has hit safely in all but one of those seven games (against the Jamsil Kia on June 26).

“I don't think I'm a starter by any means. I play every day, but I feel that every at-bat is important,” he said, adding, ”I'm excited to be in the starting lineup. I don't consider myself a starter, so this time is precious,” he said.

Currently, Kim Bum-seok is batting according to the pitcher he is facing. When a left-handed pitcher starts, he bats third, and when a right-handed pitcher starts, he bats sixth. “The first time I batted third, I felt a little pressure, but I try to fight hard with the pitcher regardless of the batting order. I try to clear my mind as much as possible and just look at the ball and hit it, rather than worrying about anything else,” Kim said.

In 10 games with the first team last year, Kim batted .111 (27-for-37) with one home run, four RBIs and a .397 OPS in 29 at-bats. He didn't play in 60 plate appearances, so he's still eligible for Rookie of the Year honors. If he continues his explosive pace, he could set his sights high.

“The rookie of the year was my personal goal before the season, but now I want to help the team more than the rookie of the year. I'm not giving up, but I'm keeping it in the back of my mind,” Kim said with a smile.

LG secured a valuable victory thanks to Kim Bum-seok's performance. They ended the day on a high note, not only with three straight wins but also with a three-game weekend sweep.

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