Daegu:Before stepping into the batting cage for his pregame practice, KT Wiz outfielder Sam Hilliard has been utilizing a unique training method: hitting rubber balls tossed by a coach. This practice, which he first adopted in the U.S. minor leagues, was reintroduced by his hitting coach Kim Kang to help overcome a slump during his first Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Hilliard was struggling with a .232 batting average at the end of April, despite having hit five home runs in 28 games. However, in May, his performance improved significantly, hitting eight home runs and achieving a .350 batting average in 25 games.

Hilliard’s impressive performance continued throughout the season, leading the KBO with 139 RBIs and ranking second with 44 home runs. In the ongoing Korean Series against the Samsung Lions, he has excelled with a .583 batting average, three doubles, and three RBIs over three games. Notably, Hilliard has more hits than any other player in the series and has outperformed the entire Lions roster in doubles.

Hilliard explained to Yonhap News Agency that the rubber ball practice helps him perfect his swing by emphasizing the importance of squaring up on the ball. He noted that missing the rubber ball results in it rolling off the bat, highlighting the need for precision. This practice has proven beneficial, as evidenced by his performance in the series opener and subsequent games.

The league’s pitching approach towards Hilliard has evolved, but he remains adaptable. Despite changes in strategy, he has continued to perform well, earning the Player of the Month award for July and the September-October period. Hilliard is the first foreign player to receive this honor twice in the same season since the KBO introduced the award in 2010.