Yoon Dong-hee (22) of the Lotte Giants is trying to fix the problem that manager Kim Tae-hyung pointed out. He said he would show a higher level of "team batting" in the upcoming season (2025). 

After hitting two homers and a slugging percentage of 0.354 in the 2023 season, Yoon garnered 14 homers and a slugging percentage of 0.453 in the 2024 season, showing much better slugging performance. His batting average also edged up from the 2023 season to 0.293. 안전놀이터

Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung pointed out to Yoon Dong-hee in August last year, saying, "We need to hit more appropriately." At the time, manager Kim cited the match in which Yoon Dong-hee missed the ball of a pitcher who came into the middle while waiting for the course and pitch he wanted, saying, "In a situation where runners are gathered in the base, even if the ball count is early, the ball entering the strike zone (S zone) should be hit." Yoon Dong-hee hit a home run by targeting a few high course changeups, but this made him conscious of hitting long balls.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung understood the players' desire to increase their value by hitting more home runs, but emphasized that players who can hit according to the situation can be evaluated higher.

Yoon Dong-hee also agrees with Kim Tae-hyung. "As he is at the highest position in the team, he will be able to see players from a broader perspective. I am taking most of his advice," he said. 

In fact, Yoon was weak in high pitches. Since the introduction of the automatic pitching determination system last year, when a generous ball was judged on a high course repeatedly, he changed his batting posture as he thought it was necessary to respond. "I didn't think my existing swing was suitable for hitting high pitches, and I corrected my posture with coaches and set a higher breaking point. It is also true that I waited for a high breaking ball as the result came out well," Yoon said.

The next task for Yoon is to increase his ability to proactively strike without being conscious of the type of pitch or course depending on the situation. "I haven't neglected my team's batting, but I think professional players should show (good) results," Yoon admitted. "I still lack team batting." 

Yoon, who is currently participating in his first spring camp in Tainan, Taiwan, is making efforts to make more sophisticated team bets. He is communicating with leaders not only to strike a basic form of performing operations like bunting but also to develop judgment in situations.

"It is natural for batters to want to produce long balls. However, I will not be greedy for this," Yoon said. "I originally believed that if I play baseball for my team, my individual performance can follow. I will pay more attention to hitting the ball according to the (game) situation." 

Yoon has become a leading hitter at Lotte while taking elite courses. He was also selected as a member of the Korean national team for the Hangzhou Asian Games, the Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) held in 2023, and the Premier 12 last year. Attention is focusing on whether Yoon will be able to take another leap forward in 2025 as he seeks to participate in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.