Bae Ji-hwan, who played his first full season, has a good chance of taking the position next season as well.”
Bae Ji-hwan (Pittsburgh Pirates) had a successful full season this season. Bae Ji-hwan, who joined Pittsburgh as an international amateur free agent in 2018, made his big league debut by starting as a 9th hitter and second baseman in a game against the Chicago Cubs on September 23 last year. He appeared in 10 games last season and showed his potential by posting a batting average of 0.333 (11-for-33), 6 RBIs, 5 runs scored, and 6 stolen bases.
His prospects for this season were even brighter. He played in 19 games in spring training exhibition games, splitting between the infield and outfield, and was included on the opening roster for the first time in his debut. On April 4, in a game against the Boston Red Sox, he hit his first home run in his major league debut, over the Green Monster at Fenway Park, Boston’s home stadium, and on April 12, in a game against the Houston Astros, he hit a walk-off three-run home run, his first walk-off home run in his debut. recorded.
Afterwards, he continued to appear as a starter in games until June, and seemed to have achieved a successful full-time appearance. However, he was placed on the injured list last July due to a left ankle sprain, and finished the first half of the year with a batting average of .238, 2 home runs, and 19 RBIs in 76 games.
Bae Ji-hwan, who completed rehabilitation in the minor league, made his comeback in a game against the Minnesota Twins on August 19. Even before his return, he completed three on-base games, going 2-for-4 with one hit and one walk. After returning from his injury, he received opportunities to play consistently, and ended the season with a game against the Miami Marlins on the 1st.
He appeared in 111 games this season and recorded a batting average of 0.231 (77 hits in 334 at-bats), 2 home runs, 32 RBIs, 54 runs, 24 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of 0.296, a slugging percentage of 0.311, and an OPS of 0.607. It wasn’t his best performance, but it was satisfactory considering it was his first full season aside from last season, which was short.
However, Bae Ji-hwan, who returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport on the 11th, said, “I was unable to achieve my goal of playing the full season due to injury. I want to play all of the games next year. It was good that I was still in the major league. It is difficult for a rookie to do that, but I have to do it myself. “I think I’m satisfied,” he said. He continued, “It is a big task to play with consistency and consistency as a big league player. I want to stay in the major league and play fall baseball next year,” and emphasized that there is more room for improvement.
Now Bae Ji-hwan begins his off-season preparations for next year. He must win the competition to play as a starting player in the 2024 season. It will vary depending on Pittsburgh’s off-season moves, but if the position being recruited overlaps with Bae Ji-hwan, there are many mountains to overcome.
However, the local media thought differently. America’s ‘Just Baseball’ said on the 19th, “Pittsburgh has a lot of second baseman resources such as Nick Gonzalez, Leeover Peguero, and Bae Ji-hwan, but they struggled offensively in 2023,” and “It was Bae Ji-hwan’s first full season in the big league. “González and Peguero both broke into the first team in the summer. There is a good chance that one of them will occupy the second base position next season.”먹튀검증
He added, “In the outfield, which is not a position that Pittsburgh needs to strengthen, Connor Cho, Josh Palacios, and Bae Ji-hwan will play as backups like in the 2023 season.” Local media also predicted that Bae Ji-hwan, who has quick feet, could join the competition for the starting role and serve as a backup rather than being excluded from the roster.
Now everything depends on Bae Ji-Hwan. He needs to prepare in the offseason and prove himself in the United States. Bae Ji-hwan, who is entering his second year of the big league full season, is attracting attention as to whether he will be able to play the big league full season next season as well.
