Lee Seungyeop is being pushed out once again?
Park Byung-ho (38) of the Samsung Lions has recorded his 399th homerun. He started as the designated hitter in the fourth inning of the match against the Lotte Giants in Daegu on Thursday, and with one out and no runners on the bottom of the fourth inning when his team was losing 0-1, Park belted a four-seam fastball in the middle of 143 kilometers on three pitches at the 1B1S, and exploded a 125-meter tiebreaking solo shot over the left-center field. It was his 19th in the season.
With just one more homer, Park will achieve his 400th career homer. Doosan Bears coach Lee Seung-yeop (467 homeruns) and SSG Landers Choi Jeong (491 homeruns) are the only two hitters in the KBO League. As Choi Jeong is still active, attention is focusing on whether Park will pass manager Lee Seung-yeop.
Park Byung-ho is 68 closer to manager Lee Seung-yeop. He is close to returning to 20 home runs in this season for the first time in two years following the 2022 season when he hit 35 home runs. In fact, except for 18 home runs in the 2023 season, 20 home runs are the basic option for Park. He hit 30 home runs for six consecutive seasons from 2012 to 2019, and 20 home runs for nine consecutive seasons through the 2022 season.
In other words, if Park hits more than 20 home runs on a regular basis for three years from next year, he can surpass coach Lee Seung-yeop to rank second in total home runs in the KBO. He has 16 games left this season. As he is in the twilight of his career, taking care of his body is the most important thing.
Just as important as physical care is a contract. Park’s three-year, three-year contract with KT Wiz in the 2021-2022 FA market will end at the end of this season. He must complete the 2025 season to become a free agent. Whether he signs an FA contract or a multi-year non-FA contract after this season, he needs to sign a contract that allows him to stably play for two to three years.
Park Byung-ho had severe ups and downs at KT this year as well following last year. He played less time. He hit three home runs in 44 games at KT, but after being traded to Samsung, he garnered 16 home runs in 61 games, making a perfect comeback. He is also a batter-friendly hitter at Samsung Lions Park.
Therefore, in order for Park Byung-ho to consistently hit home runs in the future, the cleanest scenario is to retire after a few more years as a player at Samsung. Although uncertainty has come, few batters still have better home run productivity than Park Byung-ho in the KBO league.
Samsung has no reason not to pursue non-FA contract or non-FA contract as long as Park’s skills do not deteriorate rapidly. Samsung’s batting lineup has been successfully rebuilt this year. However, it needs a veteran who can stand on the ground. Park is also the most appropriate player. After all, it is up to Park to overtake Lee.
Meanwhile, Kia Tigers batter Choi Hyung-woo (41), who is three years older than Park Byung-ho, also faces 400 homers. He has 394 homers, five fewer than Park. Given his young age, however, it would not be easy to challenge Lee. He has signed a “one-plus-one-year contract” with Kia, and is expected to continue his active career until next year. He hit 21 homers this season as well, and is still capable of hitting 20 homers. However, the reality is that it is difficult to predict his next move after the 2025 season. 메이저사이트