“I’m young, but I can’t only use it as a designated hitter…”
KT Wiz coach Lee Kang-cheol (57), who returned to KT Wiz, suffered through the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC). He conveyed his concerns about Kang Baek-ho (24, KT Wiz). Kang Baek-ho, who was active in the outfield in his debut season, will return to the outfield after going through first base.
Coach Lee Kang-cheol said, “I think I need to give a light (right fielder)” ahead of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO league demonstration game with Doosan Bears at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do on the 20th. The background to the change was explained.
For the team, the coach, and myself, it is a decision that brings joy rather than anxiety. It even raises the expectation that you can catch three rabbits.
Kang Baek-ho’s outstanding batting talent hit 29 homers in 2018 and won the Rookie of the Year title in his debut season. After that, he added sophistication and became one of the best hitters in the KBO League.
Kang Baek-ho, who played left field in his first season, boasted a strong shoulder and caught 7 bodhisattvas. The following year, he made use of his strong shoulder and moved to right field.
However, in terms of his defensive power, there were cards that could replace him. This is the reason why he moved to first baseman from the 2020 season. He played primarily as a first baseman and designated hitter for two years. Last season, due to overlapping injuries, the opportunity to play in the game was drastically reduced, and he, who mainly appeared as a designated hitter, prepared to transform into an outfielder ahead of this season.
Kang Baek-ho said, “I have been preparing since my debut. I said it because I wanted to go. I think it will be better with less pressure.”
Under coach Lee Kang-cheol, the range of player utilization has been further expanded. Shim Woo-jun enlisted in the Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Sangmu), but Hwang Jae-gyun, Park Byung-ho, Park Kyung-soo, Oh Yoon-seok, and Shin Bon-ki, as well as free agent Kim Sang-soo and rookie Ryu Hyun-in, are saturated. If Kang Baek-ho plays in the outfield, it is possible to build a variety of fielders, such as using Park Byeong-ho as the designated hitter.
I thought a lot about this, and it was a decision that came as a result of constant conversations with coach Lee Kang-cheol after last season and at the US camp바카라. At the camp, he devoted himself to training as a first baseman in line with the WBC, but he has no worries as he has already played as an outfielder for two seasons.
He also has the advantage of being able to lighten the burden of defense. Kang Baek-ho played the outfield without major problems his first two seasons. However, after he took over as first baseman, his errors increased dramatically. He has grown to 10 in 2020 and 19 in 2021. He can now focus on hitting with a lighter heart.
He can’t help but think about going abroad. Kang Baek-ho, who is in his 6th season, is a hitter who is attracting attention overseas along with Lee Jung-hoo. One year senior and outfielder Lee Jeong-hoo (Kiwoom Heroes), who is aiming to advance to the US Major League (MLB) through the posting system after this season, can be a good example.
In response to this question, Kang Baek-ho said, “I think it’s early (yet). (The change in position) is not because of that.” I will,” he said cautiously.
His unique dignified attitude was still the same, but he spared or lowered his stance when it came to remarks that could sound frivolous. Nevertheless, there is no disagreement that Kang Baek-ho is the most likely candidate to advance to the big leagues after Lee Jung-hoo. In order to achieve that goal, the key is how stable he will be in his new position this season.