Bae Ji-hwan played in eight consecutive games + batting average of 0.438 Bae Ji-hwan, can we exclude him from the opening roster of 26 players? 1 hit and 2 points against DET

Mar 18, 2025

Pittsburg Pirates Bae Ji-hwan played in eight consecutive games, further raising the possibility of joining the opening game. AP Yonhap News

Pittsburgh Pirates Bae Ji-hwan started and produced a hit, raising hopes of playing in the opening game.

Bae Ji-hwan started the away exhibition game against the Detroit Tigers at Purbricks Field in Lakeland, Florida on the 18th (Korea time) and scored one hit and two points in four at-bats.

It is the first time in two days that Bae Ji-hwan has started, and it is the eighth time in this spring training. However, six out of the last eight games have been replaced, so Bae is classified as a backup outfielder rather than a main player.

Pittsburgh played two games at the same time as a split squad. In other words, key outfielders and key hitters, including Tommy Pham, O'Neill Cruz and Brian Reynolds, played the Minnesota Twins at their home, Brandonton Recom Park. In other words, Bae Ji-hwan started the away game as a backup member.

However, Bae Ji-hwan continued his batting sense by making a hit. In particular, Bae Ji-hwan has played in eight consecutive games since the game against Detroit on the 10th, further raising the possibility of joining the 26-man opening roster.

The badge is likely to be included in the opening roster as a backup resource. ImagesYonhap News

Bae Ji-hwan, who was listed in the lineup as the second center fielder, got on base due to a left field error after one out in the top of the first inning and homered to score the first run. In the middle of opponent right-hander Liz Olsen's fourth pitch, he pushed an 89-mile changeup that fell to the low course to the left high. At this time, left fielder Justin-Henry Moloy went back and caught it as he came forward, and Bae Ji-hwan turned first base and settled on second base.

Bae Ji-hwan scored on the next batter, Andy Rodriguez's right triple. Pittsburgh then added one point on Zack Swinsky's sacrifice fly to lead 2-0.

However, for the second time, he hit a double play in the at-bat. In the third inning, trailing 2-5, he hit a 94.4 mile sinker high in the middle of Olsen with one out and one on the first base, but it was a double play as it flowed toward the shortstop. Opponent shortstop Trey Sweeney caught it near second base, stepped on the base himself, and threw it to first base.

Pitzburg Pirates badges. ImagesYonhap News

Bae Ji-hwan hit in his third at-bat in the fifth inning, trailing 4-6. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa got on base with an infield hit, one out and one on the first base. Bae Ji-hwan, who then entered the batter's box, pulled Olsen's 88.2 mile changeup that fell outside of his third pitch with a ball count of 1B1S and connected it with a hit that flowed to the right-center. It was a pretty good hit with a 94.2 mile batting speed.

At this time, when first baseman Kiner-Falefa turned second base and advanced to third base, Bae Ji-hwan turned first base and rushed to second base, becoming safe. The chance was expanded to second and third bases with one out.

Pittsburgh tied the game 6-6 with both runners home while first baseman Colt Keith caught Rodriguez's grounder and threw a pitch to Olsen, who came in with the base cover to first base.

In the fourth at-bat in the sixth inning, Bae Ji-hwan left the runner at first and second base and grounded out to the first base, leaving a regret. Bae Ji-hwan was replaced in defense in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Pittsburgh lost 6-9.

As a result, Bae Ji-hwan has a batting average of 0.438 (14 hits in 32 at-bats), one home run, three RBIs, 11 points, three steals, and an OPS of 1.111 in 15 spring training games. He is still No. 1 in batting average and hits in the team.