MLB.com Opening Day Batting Order Prediction: Kim Ha-seong and Lee Jeong-hoo Both Bat First

It was predicted that Ha-seong Kim (San Diego Padres) and Jeong-hoo Lee (San Francisco Giants)

would serve as their team’s first hitters in the opening game of the MLB regular season.

Looking at the starting batting order and pitcher rotation for the opening game of the 30 teams observed on the MLB.com website on the 3rd (Korean time),

Kim Ha-seong and Lee Jeong-hoo were at the top of their team’s lineup.

MLB.com predicted Kim Ha-seong to be the first hitter and second baseman,

and Lee Jeong-hoo to be the first hitter and center fielder. 파워볼

Even though San Diego manager Mike Silt famously said, “This year’s starting shortstop is Kim Ha-seong,”

MLB.com did not properly reflect this and listed Kim Ha-seong’s position as second baseman.

Regarding Lee Jung-hoo, MLB.com predicted,

“Lee Jung-hoo will experience some growing pains in the process of transitioning from the KBO League to MLB,

but thanks to his excellent hitting skills, Lee Jung-hoo will play an active role as San Francisco’s dynamic number one hitter for many years to come.”

Lee Jeong-hoo possesses the excellent vision needed for a number one hitter, a high on-base percentage, and sophisticated bat skills.

In addition, his punching power and base running sense are exceptional,

and he is evaluated as a player who can immediately solve San Francisco’s offensive attack problem.

Ha-seong Kim showed off his leadoff ability by entering 335 at-bats as the number one hitter in 73 games last year.

Last year, he hit number 1 more frequently than any other batting order,

and his on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and stolen base ability all received acceptable grades.

MLB.com predicted San Diego’s top batting order to be led by Ha-seong Kim,

followed by Fernando Tatis Jr. (right fielder), Manny Machado (designated hitter),

Sander Boharz (second baseman), and Jake Cronenworth (first baseman).

Bae Ji-hwan, who showed off his wide defense and base running ability as the Pittsburgh Pirates’ second baseman and center fielder last year,

was omitted from the expected lineup for this year’s opening game.

Choi Ji-man (New York Mets), who is seeking to re-enter the big league as an invited minor league player, was not named.

MLB.com predicted Shohei Ohtani as the second designated hitter in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ batting order and Yoshinobu Yamamoto as the first starter in the starting pitcher rotation.

Ohtani, who had surgery on his right elbow last year,

will not be on the mound this year and will only play as a hitter.