It's better than I expected. The 7 billion won man is already a big hit? Even the eyes are different

Mar 10, 2025

Choi Won-tae, who finished his first appearance in an exhibition game on the 8th. Photo =Samsung Lions

"It's better than I thought."

Choi Won-tae, a right-hander who transferred to the Samsung Lions by signing a large FA contract. It started off in a good mood from the start of the exhibition game. The coach's expectations have also increased.

Samsung's Choi Won-tae took the mound as a starting pitcher in an exhibition game against SSG Landers at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on the 8th and recorded one hit (one home run) with four strikeouts and no four outs in three innings. The total number of pitches is 42. The pitch was neat. Choi Won-tae used a sharp change-up against SSG's 'table setter' Jihoon Choi and Jung Joon-jae in the first inning. In the match against Choi Ji-hoon, when he was cut three consecutive pitches in 1B1S, he blocked the opponent's batter with a changeup through the strike zone for the sixth pitch.

It was the same match as Jung Joon-jae. As Tu Shim continued to be cut, he threw a changeup in the middle of the same course for the eighth pitch to induce a standing strikeout. Choi Won-tae, who gave two ground balls and one strikeout to center hitters leading to Guillermo Herredia, Han Yu-sum, and Park Sung-han in the top of the second inning, allowed Lee Ji-young to hit a solo home run in the third inning, but it was not a positive hit.

Picture=Samsung Lions

Choi Won-tae, who finished pitching well in three innings as planned, actively utilized the two-seam fastball on the day. Originally, the main weapon was fighting spirit, but last year, the four core was mainly thrown. In Jamsil, the home stadium of the LG Twins, a pitcher-friendly stadium, the decision was made because it was more appropriate to induce a fly ball than to induce a ground ball. However, Daegu, a batter-friendly stadium, will use a lot of fighting spirit that was sealed again. After recruiting Choi Won-tae, Samsung's general manager Lee Jong-yeol also asked him to actively use his fighting spirit.

Choi Won-tae also sympathized with this. In an interview with Sports Chosun at the Okinawa spring camp, he said, `I think it's wrong from there. I think it would have been better if I threw a four-seam ball to induce a fly ball, but I think it would have been better if I threw a two-seam ball together," he said, expressing his regret for last season.

In a practice game between LG and Samsung held at Akama Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on the 1st, Samsung manager Park Jin-man meets with reporters for an interview. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.03.01/

Choi Won-tae, who hit 'Jackpot' by signing an FA contract with Samsung for up to 7 billion won (2.4 billion won in down payment, 3.4 billion won in annual salary, 1.2 billion in incentives) for four years, worked hard to make up for last season's regret and prepared for this season. He built himself up with enthusiasm, and his eyes changed from spring camp" has been evaluated.

Coach Park Jin-man also smiled happily over Choi Won-tae, who finished the ball control check with a passing score in his first exhibition game. Coach Park said, `Looking at the pitching content and physical condition, I think we are preparing well for the opening"I think I'm much better off than I expected, as well as my pitches." Expectations for Choi Won-tae grew even more as of yesterday (8th)."

Denny Reyes was injured at the end of the camp, and Won Tae-in is still recovering, and Samsung has many variables for its rotation early in the opening period. If Choi Won-tae, who has the best pace, takes the center stage, he can ride the early flow. Choi Won-tae takes on an important role.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.