The biggest plus factor for the Kiwoom Heroes this season is the reinforcement of two foreign hitters. Both of them have shown achievements or potential in the KBO League, which is encouraging. They are outfielders Yasiel Puig (35) and Ruben Cardinez (28). Both are evaluated as capable of hitting more than 20 home runs and up to 30 home runs if they display their skills.안전놀이터

This year, Kiwoom's lineup must go beyond Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco Giants) to fill the void of Kim Hye-sung (26, LA Dodgers). Existing members should be general, but a shot between Puig and Cardinez is ultimately important. The two are expected to be placed in the top batting lineup along with Lee Ju-hyung, Song Sung-moon, and Choi Joo-hwan.

In particular, Puig, who returned to Kiwoom for the first time in three years after the 2022 season, is most curious about his performance this season. Puig experienced extreme slump in the first half of the 2022 season, but he has performed very well since the middle of the season. He also contributed greatly to Kiwoom's runner-up position in the Korean Series. His 2022 season performance is .277 with 21 home runs, 73 RBIs and 65 runs scored with an OPS of 0.841 in 126 games.

Puig, who returned, seems to have already adapted to Kiwoom. Some members have joined the team three years ago, while others have reunited. Puig's unique cheerful personality makes the spring camp training atmosphere good.

The club's official YouTube channel posted content one after another on the 5th and 6th. Before entering the main training, outfielders stood in a circle and conducted training to receive and deliver the ball to teammates on both sides only with the glove toss. It seems easy, but when you lose concentration, you tend to drop the ball on the floor.

When the ball wasn't working properly for Lim and Lee Hyung-jong, Puig encouraged them to cheer up. He spoke a few words in English, and when Lim and Lee Hyung-jong said, "Oh, really" in clear Korean. Then, laughter blossomed again among the players.

Puig was more serious than anyone else in the main training afterwards. He showed off his agility in catching the ball by swinging himself at the ball while taking steps back to the starting point of the falling ball. However, when he dropped the ball several times, he shouted something loud and expressed regret.

The highlights were various folk games held as competitions for each part to mark the Lunar New Year's Day. Here, Puig showed off his tremendous athletic ability. He can't make Jegichagi soft, but he kicked it for quite a long time using both feet. Korean players applauded when they saw him kicking more than once before dropping him on the floor. Then, the production team tactfully said, "A foreigner who kicks Jeggi better than a Korean."

Puig has returned in three years and is permeating the team without hesitation. For Kiwoom people, Puig is actively engaged in everything. Now all that remains is for Puig to show his skills with baseball.