LG Twins catcher Park Dong-won hits an RBI single in the top of the eighth inning during a 2026 KBO League game against the KT Wiz at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi, on April 28. [YONHAP]
LG Twins catcher Park Dong-won is on pace for his least productive offensive season since 2018, but his manager Youm Kyoung-youb believes the 36-year-old backstop is still a valuable member of his KBO club thanks to his defense and game-calling chops.
After matching his career high with 22 home runs and 25 doubles last year, Park is stuck at just three homers and five doubles after 43 games so far this season. He may fail to reach double figures in home runs for the first time since hitting only six in 2018, though he played just 39 games then. Park's slugging percentage is .347, which would be his lowest for a full season.
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Youm said Wednesday, though, Park is still the most trusted backstop for his pitching staff. With the exception of Song Seung-ki, who has developed a strong partnership with backup catcher Lee Ju-heon, all the other starters prefer to pitch to Park, Youm added.
