Series Standings and Managerial Pressure
DAEGU — The KT Wiz found themselves trailing the Samsung Lions 2-1 in the best-of-seven Korean Series on Saturday, prompting manager Lee Kang-chul to publicly demand improved performance from All-Star slugger Ahn Hyun-min.
Through three games of the championship series, Ahn has struggled at the plate, recording just two hits in 13 at-bats. The young hitter struck out four times and drew two walks, resulting in a .267 on-base percentage for the series.
Lee stated that Ahn needs to reach base more frequently ahead of Sam Hilliard to create run-scoring opportunities. The manager noted that despite the team recording seven hits in a recent loss, the offense "lacked flow" during critical moments.
Batting Order Adjustments for Game 4
In response to the offensive struggles, Lee made significant adjustments to the batting lineup ahead of Game 4. The manager placed Jang Jin-hyuk in the No. 2 spot, aiming to generate momentum for the hitters behind him.
Jang Jin-hyuk had previously gone 2-for-2 in a limited role during the series, providing a small sample size of success that likely influenced Lee's decision.
The changes followed an ineffective lineup configuration in Friday’s game. Prior to Saturday, Lee had moved veteran Kim Hyun-soo from the fifth spot to third and shifted Ahn to second base. After that game proved unproductive, Lee returned to the traditional middle-order trio of Ahn, Hilliard, and Kim.
Lee expressed hope that a victory in Game 4 would shift the momentum of the series. He described a potential win as making it "a brand new series," signaling a desire to reset the team's focus and performance.
Player Statistics and Season Context
Ahn Hyun-min enters the Korean Series with high expectations following his success in the regular season. The 2025 KBO Rookie of the Year winner hit 14 home runs in 94 games this year, overcoming injuries that limited his playing time.
Historically, Ahn has maintained strong offensive numbers. He posted an on-base percentage above .440 in both the previous two seasons before this year's campaign. In the 2025 season, he hit 22 home runs and drove in 80 runs.
Sam Hilliard continues to be a key offensive force for the Wiz. The American slugger led the regular season with 139 RBIs and currently leads the team in the Korean Series with three RBIs.
The series has been played across multiple venues, including KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, where Game 2 took place on Wednesday. The current focus remains on Game 4 in Daegu as the Wiz attempt to avoid elimination.