Choi Ji-hoon (26), who is now the undisputed leadoff man for SSG Landers, has stated that he will hit 230 runs this season.
Choi Ji-hoon started at first base and center field for SSG against Doosan in the 2024 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at SSG Landers Field in Incheon at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday and went 2-for-3 with a walk, a home run, one RBI, one run scored and one stolen base. SSG defeated Doosan 5-3 behind Choi Ji-hoon’s performance to extend their winning streak to five games.
After a grounder to second base in his first at-bat, Choi came out on fire in his second at-bat. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning, he started things off with a double to center field in his second at-bat. He followed that up with a walk in the third and an RBI single in the fourth to seal the win.
“I’m not a big hitter, but it feels good to get the game-winning hit. I’m glad it was a game-winning hit to continue the streak,” Choi said.
The win completed SSG’s five-game winning streak, but Choi said, “The players don’t show it. When the younger players get excited, the veterans catch them. I think that’s our team’s strength,” he said calmly.
We’re only 10 games into the season, but Choi’s performance this year has been nothing short of spectacular. He’s looking to make up for last year’s .268 batting average with a .672 OPS, two home runs, 30 RBIs, and 21 stolen bases.
“I haven’t played many games yet,” Choi said, “but there are six-hitters and five-hitters in the league right now. I try not to think that I’m doing well. There are still more than 100 games left, and the season starts in June. Right now, I feel like I’m pouring in the 메이저토토사이트 savings,” he explained.
Choi has been sharing the table with Park Sung-han this season due to the injury of Choo Shin-soo, who was the leadoff hitter for the Bulldogs until last year. “It’s a burden because (Park) is so good,” he laughed, before adding, “I feel like the team can win even if there are days when I don’t get on base because (Park) does a good job at No. 2. I’m grateful for that.”
When asked about his goals for the season, Choi said, “Coach Kang Byung-sik said 230 hits, and Coach Kim Jong-hoon said 200 hits (to aim for). I don’t usually set a goal, but my coaches said, ‘You have to set a high goal to chase it,’ so I set a goal of 230 hits this season,” he said cheerfully.