Accompanying an Unexpected Competitor, PIT Badge Whanski Backup Platoon Why? Opening roster virtually confirmed media

Mar 25, 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan is known to have been named on the major league opening roster. AFP Yonhap News

Jack Swinsky is also expected to be on the opening roster. AP Yonhap News

Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan is expected to be included in the opening roster of 26 players in the Major League.

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (PG), the largest media outlet in the Pittsburgh region, confirmed 11 of the 13 fielders on the 25th 'Derrick Shelton, while the other two positions will go to Jack Swinsky and Bae Ji-hwan. Both players are outfielders,' the report said.

Pittsburgh wrapped up its exhibition game schedule after the Minnesota Twins match at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers, Florida. Bae Ji-hwan did not make a big impression as he started as the ninth center fielder and recorded no hits, one walk, and one point in two at-bats, but his stable hitting and defense throughout the exhibition game seems to have earned Shelton's trust.

Pittsburgh, which closed its Florida spring training, will now travel to Miami for the opening of the season. Pittsburgh will start its 162-game road trip against the Miami Marlins at Rondipo Park on the 28th.

Bae Ji-hwan ranked first in the team in batting average, hits and scoring during the spring training exhibition games. ImagesYonhap News

Bae Ji-hwan marked a batting average of 0.381 (16 hits in 42 at-bats), one home run, four RBIs, 13 points, three walks, nine strikeouts, three steals, an on-base percentage of 0.422 and a slugging percentage of 0.595 and an OPS of 1.017 in 20 spring training games. He ranks first in batting average, hits, and runs scored in his team. In the meantime, local media generally appreciated Bae Ji-hwan's performance in exhibition games, but predicted that it would be difficult to reach the Major League.

There were more opinions that Swinsky, who competed, would form the opening roster. However, Shelton seems to have decided to give both players a chance. It can be seen as a judgment that excluding one person does not help maximize power.

PG said 'Bae Ji-hwan showed his best performance in this spring training at-bat. His 16th hit and 13th score is the best in his team. He finished the exhibition game with a batting average of 0.381 and an OPS of 1.017 in 20 games. Swinsky also showed off a similar skill. He hit 0.375 with an OPS of 1.023 in 14 games. The two players hit one home run side by side, explaining the performance of the two players in the exhibition game.

As PG explained, Bae Ji-hwan showed an upgraded hit to the extent that he was considered a career high in this exhibition game. In particular, the strikeout rate was reduced. He entered 45 at-bats, walked four, and struck out only nine times. The strikeout rate was 20.0%. The figure was 24.9% in 2023 and 29.6% last year.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Jack Swinsky is also said to have been included in the opening roster. AP Yonhap News

In addition, he hit one home run and six doubles, increasing his slugging power. If the on-base percentage and slugging percentage increase, it will inevitably receive positive reviews. Although Bae Ji-hwan and Swinsky are both left-handed hitters, Shelton is expected to put more emphasis on Bae Ji-hwan against left-handed pitchers. Bae Ji-hwan's batting average against left-handed pitchers is 0.246 and Swinsky's 0.173. In the case of Bae Ji-hwan, the overall batting average against right-handed pitchers is 0.226, which is stronger than that of left-handed pitchers.

Earlier, Shelton confirmed 11 of the 13 fielders. Catchers Joey Bart and Endy Rodriguez, infielders Adam Frazier, Nick Gonzalez, Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, Kibryan Hayes, Jared Triolo, outfielders O'Neill Cruz, Tommy Pham, Brian Reynolds and Andrew McCutchen made the opening roster. McCutchen is the designated hitter.

Including Bae Ji-hwan and Swinsky, the 13 fielders consist of two catchers, five infielders, five outfielders, and one designated hitter.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh announced that it has relocated right-handers Thomas Harrington, Carson Fulmer, Birch Smith, Tanner Rainey, and first baseman and outfielder DJ Stewart to minor league camp.