“Thanks to Ryu Ji-hyuk, the atmosphere of the beast part improved.”
Ryu Ji-hyuk, 29, faced a big change this year. He switched teams to the Samsung Lions. The Chungam-go native began his professional career with the Doosan Bears in 2012, then was traded to the KIA Tigers before being traded back to Samsung this season. This is the second time he has changed teams without signing as a free agent.
The perception of trades has changed a lot. In the past, there was a perception of abandonment by the original team, but this is no longer the case. There are many teams that need the player. The same is true for Ryu Ji-hyuk. Samsung was desperate for infield reinforcements, and they embraced the “infield utility” Ryu Ji-hyuk, even if it meant losing national team catcher Kim Tae-gun.
In the blue jersey, Ryu became a completely different player. In 36 games since his arrival, Ryu has hit .283 (36-for-127) with two home runs, 19 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases, leading the Samsung offense with a .336 on-base percentage. He drives the Samsung offense with his aggressive base running and his ability to deliver valuable hits in clutch situations.
Ryu Ji-hyeok is not only active on the field, but also in the dugout. He sets the tone for the team by taking care of the younger players. He actively helps captain Koo Ja-roo. He is a bridge between the veterans, who are in their mid-30s, and the younger players.
Ryu Ji-hyuk, who has been playing all over the place, is also a standout. “I think the trade was a turning point for Ryu Ji-hyuk,” Park smiled as he met with the media after the team’s 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League game against KT Wiz at Katie Wiz Park in Suwon was canceled on the 30th.
Park Jin-man said, “I’ve never actually been traded. I was only a free agent. I wonder if there is a psychological change when you change teams through a trade, and I think those things played a positive role.” He was pleased with Ryu Ji-hyuk’s performance.메이저놀이터
He added, “Ryu Ji-hyuk is playing a good role in the middle of the team. Thanks to him, the atmosphere is improving a lot. It’s hard for older players to talk to younger players. That’s true when there’s a big age difference. Ryu Ji-hyuk is in the middle. He’s playing the middle role with Koo Jae-rook,” he said, praising Ryu for his leadership in the dugout.
Since Ryu was traded on July 5, Samsung’s record has been good. They have 20 wins, one draw, and 15 losses in 36 games, which is good enough for fourth place in the standings. This is largely due to the play of Ryu Ji-hyuk.