In brief
The KT Wiz remain down 2‑1 in the best‑of‑seven series, and manager Lee Kang‑chul is asking star slugger Ahn Hyun‑min to increase production. Ahn’s recent count of 2‑for‑13 and a .267 on‑base percentage have worried the coaching staff, prompting lineup changes to boost run flow. Lee highlighted the need for Ahn to reach base in front of RBI‑leading Sam Hilliard, while rookie Jang Jin‑hyuk may provide fresh offense.
On Saturday, as the Tudors faced the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, KT Wiz manager Lee Kang‑chul openly asked star slugger Ahn Hyun‑min to raise his performance after the series slipped behind 2‑1.
The early part of the Korean Series saw Ahn go 2‑for‑13 in three games, accumulating four strikeouts and two walks. The same offensive slide—from the season’s .448 on‑base percentage to a .267 series average—has deprived the Wiz of a consistent run engine. Lee’s concern was clear: the offensive output of the lineup is stalled while his bullpen remains solid.
Ahn earned the 2025 KBO Rookie of the Year with 22 homers and 80 runs batted in, a season in which he posted an on‑base percentage above .440. In 2026, injuries limited him to 94 games, yet he still managed 14 home runs and an OBP of .267 during the postseason, a steep drop from his regular‑season production.
Sam Hilliard, the regular‑season RBI leader with 139, is featured in the current series as the team's best run center. He has supplied three RBIs thus far, a contribution that has been weakened because his key teammate is not reaching base often enough. Lee called attention to this dynamic in his pre‑game remarks.
Lee said before Game 4:
"Hilliard is in great form, but we need Hyun‑min to get on base more often in front of him to give him RBI opportunities," described Lee. "Because Hyun‑min is not reaching base much, our offense has lacked flow. We had seven hits last night and still lost (5‑1)."
In an attempt to create a better offensive rhythm, Lee initially placed Ahn in the third spot, directly ahead of Hilliard, in the first two games. When that arrangement failed to produce runs, he shifted veteran Kim Hyun‑soo from the fifth position to third for Friday’s matchup, while slotting Ahn into the second spot. The adjustments were short‑lived, and Lee returned to the Ahn‑Hilliard‑Kim order for the mid‑series lineup, hoping the familiar rhythm would unlock productivity.
A new variable was introduced with outfielder Jang Jin‑hyuk, who appeared 2‑for‑2 over his limited role in the series. Lee expressed optimism about Jang’s potential to set the table behind the big hitters:
"If we win tonight, then the momentum will shift, and it will be a brand new series for us," Liam said. "Hopefully, Jang Jin‑hyuk will get on base for the big bats behind him, and we can score more runs that way."
The series has taken an unexpected turn for the Wiz, who were once the heavy favorites heading into the playoffs. Lee’s calls for Ahn reflect a growing frustration; the team’s late‑season collapse has left the batting line wilted. If Ahn can find his rhythm, the gap could close before the series pivots.
As the Kang‑chul leadership signals changes early in the game, fans and analysts alike will watch to see whether a tighter lineup and a clear focus on base‑out opportunities can resurrect the Wiz’s offense, potentially changing the outcome of the next three games and altering the fate of the franchise’s championship chase.
