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Kang’s late power surge bodes well for 2017
- Updated: September 27, 2016
PITTSBURGH — The Pirates weren’t expecting Jung Ho Kang to be himself this season. Coming back from a serious injury to his left knee and major surgery to repair it, the thinking went that Kang would have to wait until 2017 to regain his full strength.
The way Kang has hit this season, that may not be the case. Or perhaps his performance in 2016 indicates that he’s due for an even bigger season next year.
Kang entered Monday’s series opener against the Cubs, a little more than a year removed from surgery, batting .266 with a .900 OPS, 20 home runs and 59 RBIs in 97 games. On Sunday, Kang became the first Asian-born infielder to hit 20 home runs in a Major League season; outfielder Shin-Soo Choo has done so four times, and Hideki Matsui had five 20-homer years.
Put simply: Kang may be nearing the end of a sophomore season that’s surpassed the lofty expectations set by his debut. And with a full winter to rest, not complete a grueling rehabilitation process in Pittsburgh and Bradenton, Fla., he could be even better next year.
“It …
