In brief
In a 2‑1 series deficit, Lee demanded greater offensive contributions from Ahn Hyun‑min, reshuffling the lineup to seek more runs. The manager highlighted Jang Jin‑hyuk’s limited role and praised the RBI‑leading Sam Hilliard, noting the team's need to accelerate base‑on‑deck rates. The outcome of these changes remains unknown as the series continues.
KT Wiz face a 2‑1 disadvantage in the best‑of‑seven Korean Series as manager Lee Kang‑chul calls on star slugger Ahn Hyun‑min to lift his offense after a poor offensive showing in the first three games.
Since the start of the Series, Ahn has batted just 2‑for‑13, with four strikeouts and two walks, and his on‑base percentage has fallen to .267, a steep decline from his .440+. In 2025 he earned KBO Rookie of the Year with 22 homers and 80 RBIs, and this season he has 14 homers in 94 games, still maintaining an OBP over .440 during the regular season.
Lee moved Ahn from the third spot and placed him at the second spot in front of RBI leader Sam Hilliard, hoping the combination would generate more hits for the long‑time power hitter. When this didn’t translate into runs, Lee shifted veteran Kim Hyun‑soo from fifth to third and repositioned Ahn to the second slot before finally returning to the Ahn–Hilliard–Kim trio for the middle of the order.
Lee would later say:
Hilliard is in great form, but we need Hyun‑min to get on base more often in front of him to give him RBI opportunities.
He added:
Because Hyun‑min is not reaching base much, our offense has lacked flow. We had seven hits last night and still lost (5‑1).
The manager also introduced a new number two hitter, outfielder Jang Jin‑hyuk, who has so far gone 2‑for‑2 in his limited role in this Series.
Lee stated:
This is a really critical game for us. If we win tonight, then the momentum will shift, and it will be a brand new series for us.
He concluded:
Hopefully, Jang Jin‑hyuk will get on base for the big bats behind him, and we can score more runs that way.
The series remains tied at two games apiece, with the next contest at Daegu Samsung Lions Park scheduled for Game 4. The Wiz and Lions have both traded wins, and the question of whether lineup adjustments and increased opportunities for Hilliard and other hitters will lift the Wiz’s offensive economy is still pending on the field.
The timing and impact of Ahn’s approach, as well as the effectiveness of Jang’s contribution, continue to be debated by coaches and analysts, with no definitive conclusion yet reached as the Series progresses.
