Daegu: Two games into the Samsung Lions' ongoing postseason series, an unlikely name has emerged as the top hit producer. Kim Tae-hoon, a 29-year-old outfielder who only played 51 games this past regular season, has gone 5-for-9 with a home run in two games against the Hanwha Eagles. Kim leads the Lions in hits, in total bases (eight), and slugging percentage (.889).
According to Yonhap News Agency, in Saturday's Game 1, Kim homered off Cody Ponce, the regular-season Triple Crown winner as the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) leader in wins, strikeouts, and ERA, as part of his two-hit day in a 9-8 loss for the Lions. Then on the following day, Kim went 3-for-5, including two hits off starter Ryan Weiss, another top-rated starter who ranked among the league leaders in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. The Lions won 7-3 to get a split on the road, with Kim providing some important offensive punch from the No. 7 spot.
Those 51 games played this year were Kim's career high, as was his .237 batting average, two home runs, and eight RBIs. Kim made his KBO debut in 2015 for the KT Wiz, but he has since only played 149 games total. To wit: A full season is 144 games long. Kim has had his moments in the Futures League, the KBO's minor league, in recent years. In 2024, he won his division's batting title with a .320 mark and slugged at a .566 clip, with 11 home runs, 26 doubles, and five triples in 84 games. This year, he batted .356/.444/.535 in 35 Futures League games.
Kim, who has played in 519 games in the Futures League, admitted before Sunday's game that he wouldn't even be playing baseball now if not for support from his family, teammates, and coaching staff. "I thought about just giving it all up, but I've been able to do this for over 10 years because of all the help I've been getting," Kim said. "It felt good to hit that home run and round the bases."
Kim admitted he was surprised to see his name on his team's postseason roster. "I didn't think I would ever see days like this, spending so much time with the big team and making the postseason roster," Kim said. "Honestly, I thought I would just go down as someone who played well in the minors. It feels great to be playing this well, and I want to keep pushing."
Lions manager Park Jin-man has also been pleased with Kim's contribution. "We've needed someone who can deliver in key spots from the lower part of our lineup," Park said. "Tae-hoon has been playing that role nicely, and it has made our bottom third of the order more productive."
Kim said he wants to build on his postseason success. "I still have a long ways to go, and I have to keep getting better," he said. "I will then be able to help both the team and myself."