During the 2025 season, KT Wiz has set up the strongest table setters with Kang Baek-ho as the first batter and Mel Rojas Jr. as the second batter. The two have exploded in fire since the exhibition game.

KT beat Kiwoom Heroes 7-4 at an exhibition game of the 2025 KBO held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on Sunday. The team already had three consecutive wins at exhibition games, tying the Doosan Bears for first place.안전놀이터

Kang and Rojas contributed the most to the victory. Kang had two hits, one run and one walk from two times at bat to make the game on the third base. He enjoyed a feast by making long balls as well as walks. Rojas had three hits, one homer, one run and two RBIs from three times at bat. He hit a two-run final from the first inning.

Kang Baek-ho and Rojas showed off their chemistry from the start. In the bottom of the first inning, Kang Baek-ho, the leadoff hitter, singled a double that exceeded the center field's height. Rojas then hit a fastball from Kiwoom starter Ha Young-min to draw an arch over the right fence. Rojas' first homer in an exhibition game. Thanks to their performance, KT made a three-run big inning from the first inning.

Their performances continued in the second inning. Kang Baek-ho drew a straight walk with one out in the second inning without a runner. Rojas also continued the trend by hitting right-handed hits. Chun Sung-ho's hit loaded the bases with one out, but Jang Sung-woo hit a 6-4-3 double play, which ruined the chance. Kang failed to score, but Kiwoom's offense was appalled by Kang Baek-ho and Rojas.

The two players continued their momentum at the third batter's box. Leading hitter Kang Baek-ho had a hit to the right at the bottom of the fourth inning. After a whopping 10 pitches, Rojas had a hit to the right, and KT had a chance to secure the first and second bases with no outs. As no follow-up hit was made, no run was scored.

It is an exhibition game, but his performance is quite impressive. Kang has three hits, one run and one RBI from six times at bat with a batting average of 0.677 on-base percentage of 0.677 OPS of 1.334. He is tied for second in batting average and on-base percentage, third in OPS, and fourth in slugging percentage.

Rojas is going one step further. He has five hits, one homer, two runs and three RBIs in seven times at bat. He has a batting average of 0.714 on-base plus slugging percentage of 1.286 OPS of 2.064. He ranks first in all batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

"The batting line went in the direction that we planned before the game. It is encouraging that Kang Baek-ho and Rojas are also boosting their batting pace," coach Lee Kang-chul said after the game.

Kang said, "The reason why I hit No. 1 is different from other No. 1 players. I don't want to throw away my style and go to No. 1, but I think it's right to bring my style and hit it like a new No. 1 player."

In the Major League Baseball, they often deploy the strongest batters at first and second. Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers alternated between first and second last year. Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels, the strongest player in the 2010s, also played as the second hitter.