How did you get this chance... PIT Bae Ji-hwan's first game, which ended in a nightmare, started in the opening three games → No hits in four at-bats, only three strikeouts. The minor traffic signal is on.

Mar 30, 2025

It was a nightmare that unfolded on a sunny spring day.

Miraculously, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bae Ji-hwan, who boarded the opening entry of the Major League Baseball (MLB) in the 2025 season, was the worst in his first appearance of the season. He started as the first center fielder against Miami on the 30th.

Even though he was in charge of the team's leadoff, he never got on base or made a bases-loaded hit in four at-bats. In addition, he struck out three. He was thoroughly played around by opposing pitchers and proved himself that he was not at the Major League level yet.

It was a nightmare on a sunny spring day.

Miraculously, Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bae Ji-hwan, who boarded the opening entry of the Major League Baseball (MLB) in the 2025 season, was the worst in his first appearance of the season.

Despite being in charge of the team's leadoff, he never got on base or made a bases-loaded hit in four at-bats. In addition, he struck out three. He was thoroughly played around by opposing pitchers and proved himself that he was not at the Major League level yet.

Bae Ji-hwan started as the first center fielder in the 2025 MLB regular league away game against the Miami Marlins at Rondipo Park in Miami, Florida at 5:10 a.m. on the 30th (Korea time). This is the first MLB game of the year. Prior to this, Bae Ji-hwan did not get a chance to play in both the opening game on the 28th and the second game of the away game on the 29th.

However, Pittsburgh coach Derek Shelton partially changed his lineup in the third away game against Miami, giving Bae a chance to play. Jack Swinsky, who was competing for the opening entry until the end with Bae Ji-hwan, also got his first opportunity to play as the fifth right fielder.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bae Ji-hwan went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his first start of the season. He was so impatient at the plate that he was completely misled by major league pitchers. There was a red flag for staying in the Major League. AP Yonhap News

However, Bae Ji-hwan played the worst game at bat that day, failing to contribute to the team at all. He came to the plate four times until the seventh inning, but the result was no hit in four at-bats. He even struck out three times. He never succeeded in the most important mission for the team's leadoff batter, 'On base'.

On this day, Bae Ji-hwan chose and showed only the most things that hitters should not do at bat. He wasn't beaten by Miami pitchers, but he was drawn into a seasoned defense fight. In short, Bae Ji-hwan was completely 'joked' by opposing pitchers at bat.

Just sending a good ball, the way the bat goes out on a bad ball. be dragged around by pitchers' balls without a chance He lost his balance and maintained his own swing rhythm. Of course, he couldn't hit the team that fits the offensive situation. It was too early to conclude with one game, but he was not ready to compete in the major leagues yet. Let's take a look at it one by one.

First, the first at-bat as a leadoff hitter in the top of the first inning. The opponent is right-hander Valentin Veloso (25). He is a young pitcher who made his big league debut last year. He was the only starter in 13 games last year, recording 3 wins, 4 losses and a 3.67 ERA, and won a spot in this year's starting rotation. It can be seen as a breaking ball pitcher who puts his ball control ahead of his fastball. The maximum fastball speed is less than 91 miles. Cutters, sliders, and sweepers were only in the 70-80-mile range.

However, Bae Ji-hwan was in a hurry from his first at-bat and failed to properly target Veloso's breaking ball. The first 90.2-mile-per-hour four-seam fastball is a ball. The 85.1-mile cutter on the second pitch came into the high course in the middle, where it swung and missed.

The cutter (85.9 miles) on the third pitch was properly attached to the body and the angle was bent. It is a hard ball to make a good hit even if you hit it. There was room with a ball count of 1B1S, but Bae Ji-hwan swung the bat. The hit that failed to hit the ball flew over the foul area on third base. In the end, third baseman foul fly out.

Bae Ji-hwan, who stepped down with a foul fly in his first at-bat in vain, came out in his second at-bat after one out in the top of the third inning with a 1-0 lead. The opponent is Veloso. This time again, the game was decided in four pitches.

The first 90-mile four-seam passed through the low strike zone. It's slightly over the knee line. The second ball is a cutter that completely goes outside. It can be said that he threw to the far side from the at-bat to disrupt Bae Ji-hwan's field of view. It is one of the common ways for breaking ball pitchers to break down the batter's strike zone setting.

Bae Ji-hwan was caught in a double fight. The 81.3 mile cutter on the third pitch fell low in the middle zone, and Bae Ji-hwan undoubtedly turned the bat around. Belozo, whose ball count was advantageous with 1B2S, threw another cutter on a similar course in the fourth pitch. However, this time, the speed was raised by about 2km. This led to the complete removal of Bae Ji-hwan's swing timing. The swing slightly touched the base of the ball and struck out with a foul tip.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bae Ji-hwan went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his first start of the season. He was so impatient at the plate that he was completely misled by major league pitchers.

Bae Ji-hwan's third at-bat was also a 1-0 lead, with one out and one on first base in the top of the fourth inning. The runner was out this time. It was a situation where additional points were needed, so a timely hit or a minimum forward hit was needed. Just in time, Miami replaced the pitcher with left-hander Anthony Veneciano.

The type that uses a 95-mile range of four-seam fast on the left hand as its main weapon. It's a completely different style from the starting belozo. Bae Ji-hwan could not hide his impatience in this match as well. 95.3 miles (about 153.4 kilometers) off the first pitch, but a foul. The second pitch is 94.2 miles (151.6 kilometers) and the four-seam is a strike.

Both the first and second pitches were high courses outside. Then, at the ball count of 0B2S, an 87.3 mile (140.5km) slider fell down the outside on the third pitch. It is a typical mis-swinging judo ball mix, and Bae Ji-hwan was beaten again this time. In the end, he struck out three pitches. It was the worst game of the day at bat.

Bae Ji-hwan came to the plate for the fourth time in the top of the seventh inning with no outs and a second base scoring chance. After Pittsburgh scored a come-from-behind score, it was the moment to expect a big inning.

Earlier, leadoff hitter Adam Frazier's left-handed hit and Lee Jae-ah Kiner-Falefa's right-handed hit made him first and third base with no outs. After that, Kiner-Falefa's steal of second base and catcher's throwing error led to frontrunner Frazier scoring, turning the tide to 3-2.

Bae Ji-hwan came to the batter's box at a chance that would greatly contribute to the victory.

However, he only left disappointing performances again this time. Miami right-hander bullpen Ronnie Enriquez's first pitch and second pitch were both high-course balls. It has become an advantageous situation for ball count 2B0. However, Bae Ji-hwan suddenly tried to bunt on the changeup (90.8 miles) in the middle of the third pitch. It was a difficult batting choice to understand. It didn't even make it a foul.

After that, I just watched the slider (87 miles) on the fourth pitch go through the strike zone high. It was a good course and speed to hit, but the bat did not go out at this time. Then, at the ball count of 2B2S, he hit a 95.5-mile (about 154km) high outside the fifth pitch and returned to the dugout.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bae Ji-hwan went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in his first start of the season. He was so impatient at the plate that he was completely misled by major league pitchers.

In the end, Bae Ji-hwan was replaced by pinch hitter Andrew McCutchen with one out and one on first base in the top of the ninth inning when the score was 3-3. Three strikeouts in four at-bats alone. In particular, even though he was the No. 1 hitter, he failed to win an average of 4 pitches (3-4 pitches-3 pitches-5 pitches) per at-bat. There was no coolness in the at-bat.

Bae Ji-hwan may have been overly excited and nervous because he played in his first MLB game this year, and that was also the first hitter selection. However, this is not even an excuse in the Major League.

As he miraculously joined the MLB opening entry by swinging an unexpected hard hit in the exhibition game, he should have shown his batting ability worthy of it. Due to the game, the Pittsburgh coaching staff's evaluation of Bae Ji-hwan is likely to retreat considerably.

Miami players are delighted after winning the home game against Pittsburgh on the 30th with 12 extra innings.

Opportunities are not given indefinitely. This is especially true for players with an ambiguous level such as Bae Ji-hwan. At its worst, this could have been the last chance. On this day, Pittsburgh suffered a 4-5 walk-off loss after a close game in the 12th inning of overtime. The evaluation of the badges could worsen.

It is difficult to predict how many more opportunities will be given in the future. But importantly, next time, we have to show something that helps the team. Otherwise, all that remains is a notice to the minor leagues.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.