“Now that the first hit, stolen base, and RBI are all out, it’s time for a home run.”
On the day he left the country to prepare for the 2023 season of Major League Baseball, Bae Ji-hwan (24, Pittsburgh Pirates) imagined hitting a home run and running around the ground.
Bae Ji-hwan left for the United States via Incheon International Airport on the morning of the 10th.
Bae Ji-hwan, who met with reporters before heading to the departure hall, smiled brightly, saying, “Last year, I posted my first major league hit, stolen base, and RBI. Now it’s my turn to hit a home run.”
He added, “Home runs are the flower of baseball. I’m a contact hitter, but I’m greedy for home runs.” .
Bae Ji-hwan is the 26th Korean major leaguer of all time.
Bae Ji-hwan, who graduated from Gyeongbuk High School and signed with Pittsburgh in 2018, advanced to Triple A in 2022 after going through Minor League Single A in 2019 and Double A in 2021.
Last year, he played in 108 games in Triple-A and had a batting average of 0.289 (121 hits in 419 at-bats), 8 homers, and 53 RBIs, and was called to the big leagues thanks to his wide range of defense in the infield and outfield, which raised his stock price. .
On September 24 last year (Korean time), in the game against the Chicago Cubs held at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, he started as the 9th hitter and second baseman, and became the 26th Korean big leaguer since Park Chan-ho in 1994. Hwan got his first hit in his debut match. On this day, he also succeeded in stealing two bases.
The next day, on September 25, against the Cubs, he reported his first long hit (double) and an RBI.
Bae Ji-hwan played in 10 games in the big leagues last year and posted a batting average of 0.333 (11 hits in 33 at-bats), 6 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases, and his potential was recognized.
His quick feet and defensive ability to move in and out of the field were particularly outstanding. 카지노
In the Pittsburgh affiliated minor league Triple A Indianapolis Indians, he was also selected as the team’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Bae Ji-hwan is currently on the Pittsburgh 40-man roster. He joins the Pittsburgh Major League Spring Camp starting on the 21st as a ‘big leaguer’, not an invited player.
Bae Ji-hwan goes further and aims to enter the opening roster (26 players) and start.
If he hits home runs in the big leagues as he hopes, his position could be solid.