Yoon Do-hyun of the KIA Tigers. Photo courtesy of KIA Tigers.
[Gwangju] KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho called infielder Yoon Do-hyun aside before the game against the Doosan Bears in Gwangju on the 12th. “I just called him over and told him I’d like to see a bit more urgency from him,” Lee said.
The manager sent down Asian quota infielder Jared Dale to the minor league on the 11th for a reset and, after careful consideration, called up Yoon Do-hyun as his replacement.
Yoon graduated from Gwangju Jeil High School and was selected by KIA as the 15th overall pick in the second round of the 2022 draft. That year, he was touted alongside first-round pick Kim Do-young as a future infield duo for KIA. While Kim exploded onto the scene in 2024—becoming the youngest player ever to achieve a 30-home run, 30-steal season and winning the regular season MVP—Yoon has yet to fulfill his potential.
The biggest obstacle to Yoon’s development has been recurring injuries year after year. Just as he starts getting some playing time on the major league roster, he gets hurt again and again, preventing him from earning consistent opportunities. He did manage 40 games and 160 at-bats last season, but without the injuries, he could have played much more.
This season, Lee Bum-ho considered Yoon a key piece. To maximize Yoon’s genuine hitting talent, the manager even moved him to first base to get his bat in the lineup. However, after just five games, Yoon was sent back to the minors, batting only .167 (3-for-18). Adding to the frustration, he once again suffered back issues that required treatment.
Yoon Do-hyun of the KIA Tigers. Photo courtesy of KIA Tigers.
Yoon Do-hyun of the KIA Tigers. Photo courtesy of KIA Tigers.
In professional baseball, taking care of one’s body is part of the skill set. It’s hard to chalk Yoon’s frequent and long-lasting injuries up to mere bad luck. KIA has seen enough of Yoon’s intimidating presence at the plate when he’s healthy to keep giving him time to grow.
Entering May, KIA has struggled offensively, posting a team batting average of just .244 over 10 games, ranking ninth in the league. The team called Yoon up immediately after he got some live at-bats in the Futures League, a clear sign of their hitting woes.
Lee added, “I hope he plays with grit. He’s a prospect, and it’s time to show his talent. A month and a half have already slipped away. If he doesn’t step up now, another two or three months will pass, and the season will be over. I told him to be more desperate, and Yoon said he would be. He’s still young. In baseball, when you set your mind right, your performance can change dramatically. I think he might have come back with the right mindset this time.”
KIA is waiting for their young infielders—Park Min, Jung Hyun-chang, and Yoon Do-hyun—to take the next step. In the outfield, second-year player Park Jae-hyun has already become this season’s breakout star with solid play on both sides of the ball. If one of Park Min, Jung, or Yoon can step up as a regular, the team may avoid relying on an Asian quota slot for a position player.
Yoon Do-hyun of the KIA Tigers. Photo courtesy of KIA Tigers.