Choi Ji-man (32, Pittsburgh Pirates)’s dream of becoming the first national team player in his life was shattered. As the team’s opposition failed to participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC), the baseball team had to look for a replacement.
The selection of Lee Kang-cheol, an outfielder not a first baseman, who had the same position, was somewhat unexpected. In response, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Technical Committee considered alternative first baseman resources such as Oh Jae-il (37, Samsung Lions) and Chae Eun-seong (33, Hanwha Eagles), but put weight on the voice of the field to select Choi Ji-hoon, who has high utilization. Explained.
In a phone call with KBO Technical Committee Chairman Cho Bum-hyeon, “Park Byeong-ho (37, KT Wiz) was the key to concern. Park Byeong-ho’s health is the background to this decision.” Park Byeong-ho left the team in September of last year due to a ligament rupture in his right ankle and devoted himself to recovery and rehabilitation.
Chairman Cho Bum-hyeon said, “It was because of Park Byeong-ho’s health that we initially selected three first basemen. He decided that he didn’t need a first baseman anymore, so he picked a player in another position.”
Lee Kang-cheol-ho also considered catcher as an alternative position. Chairman Cho Beom-hyun said, “We considered the condition of Yang Eui-ji (36, Doosan Bears). At the beginning of the season, he contemplated whether to hire another 스포츠토토 catcher after hearing that his recovery was slow. However, there is a tournament rule that catchers can be replaced immediately in the event of an injury, so he turned his attention to another position.”
After twists and turns, he turned his attention to the outfield, but he had a lot of trouble choosing Choi Ji-hoon. It was because there was an opinion that his role overlapped with Park Hae-min (33, LG Twins), a left-handed hitter and center fielder. However, Lee Kang-cheol-ho noticed Choi Ji-hoon’s high utilization. He chose Choi Ji-hoon considering the great runner, great defense, and ability to elaborate sacrifice bunts at important moments. Last year, Choi Ji-hoon recorded a batting average of 0.304, an on-base percentage of 0.362, and 31 stolen bases in 144 games, making a big success in the offense.
Chairman Cho Bum-hyun said, “If the WBC fails to win in regular innings, it will play a ‘match-up’. He explained the reason for the selection, saying, “I judged that Choi Ji-hoon’s utilization was high in a situation where a bunt was needed.”
Meanwhile, Park Byeong-ho and Kang Baek-ho (24, KT) will take turns taking over first base for Lee Kang-cheol-ho, who has Choi Ji-man missing. Chairman Cho said, “If necessary, Kim Hyun-soo (35, LG) can also be put in first base.”