Early spring proving unkind to 2 Korean sluggers in Japan

Spring has reached its peak, but two Korean sluggers playing in Japan, Lee Seung-yeop of the Orix Buffaloes and Kim Tae-kyun of the Chiba Lotte Marines, are both experiencing deep hitting slumps.

Though the season remains young, Lee, who was hoped to have a rebound season, and Kim, who was expected to start as cleanup hitter, have performed poorly thus far.

Against the Hokkaido Nihon Ham Fighters Tuesday, Lee went 0-3 including two strikeouts to continue his hitless streak to four games.

After the game, Orix manager Akinobu Okada said, “Lee only swings on balls. He is gradually collapsing by himself.”

○ Reasons for slump

Despite posting sluggish records with a batting average of .188, one homer and three runs in the exhibition season, Lee did not appear anxious. His slump was then construed as being part of the process for adapting himself to games because he had few chances to play over the past three years.

Because his slump has continued to the regular season, however, the mood has changed.

Through seven games Tuesday, his batting average was .087 (2-23). Lee`s 12 strikeouts was also second worst in the Pacific League after Randy Ruiz of the Rakuten Golden Eagles (13).

Lee is also tied for first in the number of double plays along with Kim.

More than anything, Lee`s strikeouts show a lack of confidence as the batter fails to confidently swing even if the count is in his favor. On 0-2 counts, Lee often falls victim to forkballs or changeups. This continued pattern has caused his batting style to deteriorate, and he shows no signs of dominance in batting.

The situation is little different for Kim Tae-kyun, who is hitting .120 (3-25). All three of his hits were singles. Having played cleanup batter since the season opening, he was demoted to No. 8 in the lineup from Tuesday’s game against the Saitama Seibu Lions.

○ Will teams give up on sluggers?

With the two players in a deep slump, Orix and Lotte are unsurprisingly among the league`s cellar dwellers. Both teams, however, continue to show confidence in the two Koreans.

Had Lee and Kim played for better known teams such as the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants, they could have been demoted to the minors. Orix and Lotte, however, are giving them ample opportunities.

Orix manager Okada said, “We`ve only played seven games. Lee could seize the opportunity to find a way out of his slump somehow.”

After Chiba`s 2-0 win over Seibu Tuesday, Marines manager Norifumi Nishimura, who moved Kim to the eighth batter, said, “I wanted to help relieve Kim of his burden.”

Kim went 1-2 against Seibu, including an outfield hit against Lions ace pitcher Hideaki Wakui in the fifth inning and a walk.

uni@donga.com