LG Twins rookie catcher Kim Beom-seok (19) showcased his potential without any regrets in the Futures All-Star Game.
Kim Beom-seok started as the designated hitter for the Northern League All-Star Team in the “2023 KBO Futures All-Star Game” held at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 14th. He recorded 2 hits, 1 home run, 4 RBIs, and 1 run in 4 at-bats.
In the bottom of the 1st inning with 1 out and a runner on first base, Kim Beom-seok retreated with a flyout to center field. In the 4th inning, he led off as the first batter but was caught out with a flyout to right field. However, in the 5th inning, with the Northern League All-Star Team trailing 4-3 and 2 outs with runners on first and second base, he crushed a 143 km/h fastball from Han Jae-seung for an impressive three-run home run over the left-center fence, turning the tide of the game. According to measurements by Trackman at the Lotte Giants stadium, the exit velocity of the hit reached an astonishing 170 km/h, and it traveled a distance of 128 meters.
Kim Beom-seok, playing for the Northern League All-Star Team, once again contributed an important run to his team in the 7th inning with 1 out and a runner on second base, driving in an RBI hit, as the team allowed the game to be tied before taking an 8-7 lead. With Kim Beom-seok’s performance, the Northern League All-Star Team secured a 9-7 victory.
Selected by LG in the 1st round (7th overall) of the 2023 Rookie Draft, Kim Beom-seok is gathering expectations as the next-generation power hitter leading LG’s lineup. While he remained silent with no hits in 4 at-bats in the first half of the season in the KBO League, he excelled in the Futures League, batting .306 (48 hits in 157 at-bats) with 6 home runs, 27 RBIs, and an .868 OPS in 47 games.
Kim Beom-seok faces a challenging situation in immediately making an impact in the KBO League. LG possesses a powerful batting lineup, currently dominating the league in runs per game with a commanding 1st place (5.4 runs). Key hitter Kim Hyun-soo is mostly playing as the designated hitter, and with the likes of Austin Dean, Hong Chang-gi, Moon Sung-ju, and Park Dong-won among the core batters needing rest, it is difficult for Kim Beom-seok to find opportunities.
However, even LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop acknowledges Kim Beom-seok’s potential. During Kim Beom-seok’s debut start on July 6th, Yeom Kyung-yeop stated, “Kim Beom-seok is not yet a crucial player for the team. We provided opportunities for him to gain experience. We are not expecting immediate results. He is a player who is in the process of preparing for LG’s future next year and beyond.” Yeom expressed his expectations for Kim Beom-seok’s growth.
As Kim Beom-seok continues to gain valuable experience in his journey towards becoming a regular player for LG, fans’ expectations are growing for what he will show in the future. 파워볼분석