Young shortstop hopes new mindset will lead to better results

By Yoo Jee-ho

SEOUL, May 21 (Yonhap) -- After a memorable run in the latter portion of 2023, Kim Ju-won, the 21-year-old shortstop for the NC Dinos, came into the 2024 Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season under high expectations.

And Kim would be the first to tell you he hasn't exactly lived up to them, especially at the plate, but he has shown more signs of life in May.

The latest piece of evidence came in the form of a two-run home run against the Kiwoom Heroes on Tuesday night. It helped the Dinos to a 5-3 victory at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, ending the team's season-worst three-game losing streak in the process.

Kim, still batting only .216 after a 2-for-4 day, said afterward changes between the ears have made the difference so far in May.

He is batting .311 this month, after putting up a meager .169 average in April and .167 in March.

"I haven't made any mechanical changes to my swing. I've only changed my approach and my mindset," Kim said. "In the box, I should really be fighting the pitcher. But I've been battling myself and getting in my own way. Lately, I've been focusing on getting my timing right."

The switch hitter said he has also been trying to drive the ball up the middle, no matter which side of the plate he is hitting from.

Kim helped South Korea win the gold medal at the Asian Games in China last fall, playing excellent defense at shortstop while delivering big hits. After returning to the KBO for the stretch drive, Kim swung the bat with more authority and continued to play strong defense.

Though pundits expected Kim to be able to build on that success this year, the player said he would give himself only a 2 out of 10 on his performance so far.

"I've been terrible. I have to be better," Kim said. "I haven't been able to help the team as often as I'd like."

But Kim said he has been able to separate his hitting from his defense. In some cases, players let their struggles at the plate affect their performance on defense, but that hasn't been the case for Kim, who said he would give himself a grade of 7 out of 10 on his fielding.

"Because I haven't been doing much with my bat, I've been trying to help the team with my glove," Kim said. "This year, I think I've been able to move more naturally and get my timing right on tough bounces. I think I've grown a little bit on the defensive end compared to last year."

After such a sluggish start, it seems as though Kim can only go up from here. But he said he won't let himself get carried away just yet.

"I don't want to get too greedy at the plate just because I've had a few hits lately," Kim said. "I will take it slowly, one game at a time, and try to keep getting better."

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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