Wiz star Hilliard taking advantage of rubber ball training during Korean Series
DAEGU — Before he steps into the cage for his pregame batting practice, KT Wiz outfielder Sam Hilliard hits rubber balls tossed by a coach. Hitting them is not just for fun. Hilliard said he first did it a few years ago while in the U.S. minor leagues. He stopped hitting rubber balls but then returned to his old practice ways earlier this year at the suggestion of hitting coach Kim Kang, as he…
Daegu — Before taking to the mound for pregame batting practice, KT Wiz outfielder Sam Hilliard swings at rubber balls tossed by a coach. This drill is not merely recreational. Hilliard explained he began hitting rubber balls a few years ago while playing in the U.S. minor leagues. He discontinued the practice but resumed it earlier this year, following his hitting coach Kim Kang's advice as he struggled through his first Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) season.
Hilliard's batting average had dropped to .232 by the end of April, the lowest among all qualified foreign hitters at the time, although he had scored five home runs in 28 games. However, in May, Hilliard's performance surged, hitting eight home runs and achieving a .350 batting average over 25 games. Since then, he has shown no signs of slowing down.
Hilliard concluded the season as the KBO leader in RBIs with 139 and ranked second with 44 home runs. During the Korean Series against the Samsung Lions, Hilliard has excelled, batting .583 (7-for-12) in three games. No player on the Lions has more hits, and Hilliard has added an additional double to the Lions' total.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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