“This is a team I’ve always wanted to visit. I envied their infrastructure.”
SSG Landers announced the news of the trade ahead of their upcoming game against the LG Twins in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on May 25.
SSG said,메이저놀이터 “We executed a one-for-one trade to receive Doosan Bears outfielder Kang Jin-sung and give up pitcher Kim Jung-woo,” adding, “We aimed to strengthen our right-handed outfield depth. We expect him to be highly versatile in both offense and defense as he can play corner outfield and first base.”
Kang was selected by the NC Dinos with the 33rd overall pick in the fourth round of the 2012 KBO First-Year Player Draft. He played for NC through the 2021 season before joining Doosan as compensation for Park Gun-woo, who signed with NC as a free agent in 2022.
Kang has appeared in three games this season, going 1-for-3 with a walk. His KBO career numbers are 286 hits, 23 home runs, a .265 batting average and a .715 OPS in 405 games.
Kang Jin-seong was added to the first team roster on the day of the trade. He was traveling to his hotel room after a Futures League game against the Goyang Heroes in Goyang when he heard the news of the trade, and after a brief exchange of pleasantries with Doosan players, he headed straight to Incheon.
“I received the call while traveling back to Jamsil by bus after the Goyang game in the Futures League today,” said Kang Jin-seong. “I was stunned by the sudden news, so I immediately came to Jamsil to say hello to the Doosan players.”
“In fact, I apologize to the fans for my disappointing performance at Doosan. However, since I came to SSG through a trade, I will help SSG achieve the top spot.”
SSG has one of the best locker room environments in the league. “It was a team that I wanted to come to at least once,” he said. “From the other team’s point of view, I was envious of the infrastructure such as the locker room. I am honored to join the team.”
Kang arrived in Incheon after having a brief conversation with Doosan head coach Lee Seung-yeop in his room. “He told me, ‘This is a great opportunity, so think of it as your last team and do well,'” he said. “He also told me, ‘Make yourself comfortable in our team. Today is your first day, so learn the dugout atmosphere and adapt well,'” he said.
Finally, Kang Jin-seong said, “I don’t know any players on SSG yet, but I know they have a good atmosphere. I will adapt well to the team,” he said, adding, “I will also be a helpful player so that the team can continue to compete for the top spot.”
[Doosan’s Kang Jin-sung, wearing an SSG Landers jersey, poses for a photo before the LG-SSG game of the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on May 25. Photo by Kwak Kyung-hoon in Incheon