Hanwha infielder Oh Sun-jin (34) covers first base.
Hanwha started left-hander Choi Sung-young against the Changwon NC on Saturday, and the starting lineup was Moon Hyun-bin (second base), Nick Williams (left field), Noh Si-hwan (third base), Chae Eun-sung (designated hitter), Kim Tae-yeon (right field), Lee Jin-young (center field), Oh Sun-jin (first base), Choi Jae-hoon (catcher), and Lee Do-yoon (shortstop). The starting pitcher was Lee Tae-yang.
Oh Seon-jin, who boasts an all-weather infield defense, took the mitt at first base. It was his second start at first base of the season, following his last start against the Gwangju KIA on May 5. Oh, who has played shortstop, second base, and third base throughout his career, had only played first base in seven games (3 starts, 32 innings) in 2013 before this season.
Oh stepped into the first base spot after starting first baseman Kim In-hwan made a costly throwing error in the seventh inning the day before. There was also the fact that the opposing starter was left-hander Choi Sung-young.안전놀이터
In a pregame interview, Hanwha manager Choi Won-ho said of Oh, “Whether it’s shortstop or second base, he has a sense of stability even if his range is narrow. He is even more stable at third base or the first base corner. He has a good sense of hitting and handling out of bounds.”
Meanwhile, Hanwha will make its first official start of the season with all-weather reliever Lee Tae-yang. His previous two appearances were as a substitute, but this time he’s in the rotation.
However, he will not be able to increase his pitch count at once. Choi Won-ho said, “The most I’ve thrown so far is 58 pitches (3⅔ scoreless innings against LG Electronics in Jamsil on May 20), but unlike before, this time I’m taking five days off after pitching. I’m thinking about 70 to 80 pitches, but I’m going to cut it off inside 80 pitches.” “I hope he can throw until the fifth inning,” he said.