Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan expressed his determination to prepare for the new season.
Bae Ji-hwan departed through Incheon International Airport on the 11th to prepare for the season earlier. 카지노사이트랭크
Bae Ji-hwan, who met with reporters before leaving the country, said, “I have one more person to take responsibility for.
I think that will definitely be reflected in my appearance on the baseball field.
I had the experience of playing a full season last year, so I’m looking forward to the upcoming season.
It’s a lot,” he said, expressing his mindset ahead of the 2024 season.
Bae Ji-hwan, who graduated from Gyeongbuk High School, signed a contract with Pittsburgh in 2018 and advanced to Minor League Single A in 2019, Double A in 2021, and Triple A last year.
Bae Ji-hwan, who was promoted to the first team on September 24 of the same year, recorded a batting average of 0.333 (11 hits in 33 at-bats), 6 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases in 10 big league games.
Bae Ji-hwan, who has been recognized for his potential, entered the 2023 season opening entry (26 players) and made a fresh start with 2 hits, 1 walk, 2 runs, and 2 stolen bases in the opening game.
In April, he raised the mood by becoming the first Korean batter in MLB to start with Ji-Man Choi (San Diego) of the same team and record a home run together.
From the end of May, he began to see the effects of correcting his batting posture, and as of June 10
his season batting average reached 0.277 (46 hits in 166 at-bats). On the 17th of the same month, he succeeded in stealing his 20th base of the season
becoming the first Korean major leaguer to achieve 20 stolen bases since Choo Shin-soo (SSG Landers) in 2013.
Afterwards, the team faltered due to injuries and slumps. He was placed on the injured list (IL) due to a left ankle sprain on July 3, and ended the first half of the year with a 0.238 average (51 hits in 214 at-bats)
in 76 games, 2 home runs, 19 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. However, he returned on August 19 after a rehabilitation game and finished the season successfully,
appearing in 111 games and recording a batting average of 0.231 (77 hits in 334 at-bats), 32 RBI, 54 runs, and 23 stolen bases.
His batting is considered key to the 2024 season. Major League Baseball’s official website ‘MLB.com’ introduced Bae Ji-hwan as a candidate for Pittsburgh’s starting second baseman and analyzed,
The key is whether his offensive ability can rise to the point where he can occupy a starting position.”
With his utility resources, he has ample potential to start in various positions such as shortstop and center field.
And then I came to Korea and had a busy winter. Last month, Bae Ji-hwan met with juniors from the YouTube Yasin Yaduk channel and Daegu Buk-gu B Little Baseball Team and donated his talent by directly demonstrating batting,
fielding, and base running, and directly correcting his form. After completing the training, he answered many questions from the children with sincerity and communicated with them.
On the 6th, he married an ordinary woman somewhere in Daegu and started a family. Bae Ji-hwan posted news of his marriage on his Instagram on the 5th.
Bae Ji-hwan said, “I moved to the United States 7 years ago with big dreams, but there were many difficult days before I adapted because I thought I was alone more than anything else.
I made a promise to someone who consistently treats me with infinite love and makes me feel grateful just for being there.
I am full of courage that I can accomplish anything in the future,” he said.
He continued, “It is my duty to meet and greet you, but after returning from the United States and trying to prepare as much as possible within the given period of time,
I was short of time and hectic. I would be grateful if you could understand with a generous heart.” “I would like to thank everyone in advance
I am sincerely grateful to those who sent congratulatory messages even from afar, and I will not forget them,” he added.
And on the 10th, the day before his departure, Bae Ji-hwan visited ‘Aeranwon’, a living facility for single mothers that he had donated to last year
delivered goods and donations, and boarded a plane to the United States.
The following is a Q&A with Bae Ji-hwan.