Outfielder Kwon Gwang-min (27, Hanwa) had two home runs in 98 first-team games through last year. This year, he has already set a career high by hitting 4 home runs in 12 games. All four home runs came in September. The record accumulated in the last two years was exceeded in just 10 days. Current batting sensation Kwon Kwang-min is that hot.

It is said that there is no player who wears a professional uniform without a story, but Kwon Kwang-min has walked a very difficult path. After graduating from Jungchung High School, he signed a contract with the Chicago Cubs instead of the KBO League and began competing in Major League Baseball (MLB). However, the door to the big leagues never opened, and he was released in 2019.

Kwon Kwang-min, who made a U-turn in Korea, continued his dream of becoming a professional in the independent leagues after completing his active-duty military service, and was selected by Hanwha as the 41st overall pick in the 2nd 5th round. 2022 KBO Rookie Draft. For Kwon Gwang-min, Hanwha, then under reconstruction, was a land of opportunity. In particular, poor outfield depth is a lingering concern for Hanwa.

However, Kwon Kwang-min failed to take advantage of the opportunity presented with a 0.225 batting average and OPS of 0.641 in 32 games in his first year as a professional. Last year, in his second year, he dropped further to a 0.151 batting average, 2 home runs, and 0.499 OPS in 66 games. Even before this season, Kwon Kwang-min didn’t get much attention. He did not participate in the first team’s spring camp and was not included in the starting lineup.

If the season ends like this, Kwan Gwang-min’s position in the team could be further narrowed. It was important to develop your skills in the second team, but now was the time to prove your skills in the first team. A precious opportunity came to him. Kwon Gwang-min, who was registered in the first team for the first time on the 3rd, started as a defender and pinch hitter after the implementation of extended entry and is steadily appearing in the starting lineup.

Taking advantage of small opportunities was effective. Kwon Gwang-min hit home runs against LG in Jamsil on the 7th and as a pinch hitter against Samsung in Daejeon on the 11th. Manager Kim Gyeong-moon, who has seen good concentration at the plate, is keeping Kwon Gwang-min in the starting lineup against Sajik Lott on the 14th. Kwon Kwang-min played as a second batter and left fielder against Changwon NC on the 19th and recorded 3 hits (1 home run) and 4 RBIs in 5 at-bats, leading the team to a 7-6 victory.

Kwon Gwang-min is Hanwha’s hottest hitter in September. His batting average is 0.433 in 12 matches. His slugging ability, considered his real strength, is on fire and his OPS is 1.481. Director Kim also said, I am watching with interest. The situation faced by Kwon Gwang-min, who caught the attention of the head coach, is not much different from when he joined the team. Hanva still lacks a suitable outfielder to keep as a regular player.

If he continues to perform well through the end of the regular season and shows competitive performances in the finishing camp and spring camp to prepare for the next season, Kwon Kwang-min’s position on the team could change next season. September is a promising month for Kwon Kwang-min in many ways.