KIA Tigers' star Kim Do-young (21) committed 30 mistakes during the 2024 season. He earned numerous nicknames, but he is also known as the "blame king." One of Kim's goals in the 2025 season is clear. He is regarded as a true third baseman.안전놀이터

This is a description that she reserved. Kim's defense has already proved its difference at the end of the season, in the Korean Series and the Premier 12. She did not make a single mistake on the most important stage. It was a result of constant handling practice and passion and commitment throughout the season with defense coach Park Ki-nam, who showed strong will and enthusiasm to become a better defender.

Kim Do-young is serious about defense. When asked about offseason plans at year-end award ceremonies, he always talked about defense. Rumor has it that when batters hear about individual training during this period, they rarely mention hitting or defense.

Kim Do-young was a shortstop in middle and high school. It's not that he hasn't played third base, but he has actually completely relearned third base defense since joining the team in 2022. From that point of view, it makes sense that Kim Do-young, who played full-time at third base for the first time, made many mistakes.

And Lee, who knows him well, did not even blink even though Kim made a flurry of mistakes in the first half of last year. Even now, Lee says, "Doyoung is good at defense." He was indeed right. It is only a matter of perfection based on experience and hard work, and it is only a matter of time before Kim wins the title of captain of offense and defense.

Ahead of the Sports Reporters' Day award ceremony last month, coach Lee Bum-ho said, "We need to reduce the number of mistakes to ten next year." He said, "If we focus on defense and do our best, instead of transplanting the number of errors, it will happen." This will definitely help the third baseman's Golden Glove to win its second consecutive gold medal.

If Kim has a major league dream in the future, third baseman Kim Do-young is expected to be a considerable plus. Already, Kim's entry into the Major League is expected to be subject to significant variables. However, if he secures the defense, he can upgrade his reputation in the Major League by himself.

In fact, the third baseman who is good at defense in the big leagues is recognized. The most representative player is Matt Chapman (32), Lee Jung-hoo's teammate. The San Francisco Giants gave Chapman a six-year, $15,100 extension contract at the end of the 2024 season.