Daegu:With the KT Wiz trailing 2-1 to the Samsung Lions in the Korean Series, manager Lee Kang-chul has called for better performance from star slugger Ahn Hyun-min. Ahn's current stats show a concerning 2-for-13 with four strikeouts and two walks over three games. Despite his previous accolades as the 2025 Rookie of the Year in the Korea Baseball Organization, his performance in the series has been underwhelming.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Ahn's .267 on-base percentage in the series has fallen short of expectations, especially given his past successes, such as a .448 on-base percentage in 2025. His inability to reach base affects the team's offensive flow, particularly when batting ahead of Sam Hilliard, the regular-season RBI leader. Hilliard has been effective with three RBIs in the series, but Ahn's struggles have hindered the team's overall performance.

Manager Lee has made lineup adjustments, placing Ahn in different batting positions in an attempt to optimize the team's strategy. Veteran Kim Hyun-soo was moved to the No. 3 spot, with Ahn batting second, but this did not yield the desired results. Lee now plans to utilize Jang Jin-hyuk in the No. 2 spot, hoping his on-base performance will catalyze scoring opportunities for the powerful hitters following him.

Lee emphasized the importance of the upcoming game, stating that a victory would significantly shift the series momentum. He expressed optimism that Jang can provide the needed support to Ahn and Hilliard, enabling the team to score more effectively and contend for the series title.