If this happens, there will be no major change. Bae Ji-hwan, no hit in four at-bats in the first game of Triple-A, two strikeouts, and a shaky Seon-an + Boong Boong swing. be in urgent need of improvement
Apr 09, 2025
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The hard hit shown in the exhibition game seems to have been a temporary phenomenon. Bae Ji-hwan (26) also remained hitless in his first minor league game of the year. The hitting problem has not improved at all.
Bae Ji-hwan, who belongs to the Indianapolis Indians, a triple-A team under the Pittsburgh Pirates, started as the first center fielder before the Louisville Bats (Triple A team under the Cincinnati Reds) at Louisville Slugger Field in Louisville, Kentucky, USA on the morning of the 9th (Korea time).
It is Bae Ji-hwan's first minor league game of the year, five days after he was notified of his shocking trip to the minor league on the 4th.
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In the game against the Miami Marlins on the 30th of last month, he started as the first center fielder and bowed his head to three strikeouts in four at-bats, and in the game against Miami on the 31st, he came out as a pinch runner in the top of the eighth inning and was thrown out while trying to steal third base excessively, pouring cold water on his scoring chance. Bae Ji-hwan, who did not get a chance to play afterwards, was eventually notified of his trip to the minor leagues on the 4th. It was only two games and four at-bats in the Major League Baseball.
The Pittsburgh coaching staff was relentless, even though they could have given them more opportunities. I couldn't afford it because I fell to last place in the National League Central from the beginning. It can be said that Bae Ji-hwan, who had to try to change something, was caught as a demonstration case, which only disappointed both batting and running base.
However, although Bae Ji-hwan fell to the minor league earlier than expected, there was a high possibility of re-entering the big league. This is because all Pittsburgh outfielders were in a hitting slump. So if Bae Ji-hwan showed a batting ability that exceeded the level of Triple-A, call-up opportunities would be provided.
But this was nothing more than an expectation filled with hope. The reality is disastrous. Bae Ji-hwan also had to worry about adapting to the batting in Triple-A.
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First at bat in the top of the first inning. The Louisville starter was right-handed fastball pitcher Chase Petty (22). The Minnesota Twins were the first-place finisher in the 2021 rookie draft, but they have no major league experience yet. It throws a 98-mile (about 158 km) fastball, but its control is jagged.
Bae Ji-hwan continued his advantage. Both the first and second pitches greatly deviated up and down the ball and strike zone. The location splashed out at will. The third ball is a high strike outside. Four balls are high above the ball. It was ball count 3B1S. It was all four-seam fastballs up to this point. The young pitcher 'Wild Thing' is taking control of the ball by throwing only four balls at the first batter.
A clever hitter would have taken full advantage of this situation. Perfect timing to aim for the next ball coming into the strike zone. Or it can lead to a walk on base.
Unfortunately, Bae Ji-hwan was not this type of hitter. Bae Ji-hwan fumbled his bat to the 96.2 mile four-seam that came into the middle of the fifth pitch. Then, when four-seam (96 miles) entered the high course on the sixth pitch, he struck out swinging without a doubt. On the 30th of last month, when he struck out three against Miami, he got another "Bung Boong swing."
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He struck out another swing and miss by Perry in his third at-bat with two outs in the top of the fourth inning with a 1-0 lead. Again, I couldn't use an advantageous ball count. The initial four-seam (96.7 miles) rose high. Two consecutive swings and misses on the second and third pitches. Four balls (four-seam) and five balls (sliders) are both body balls.
Of the five balls Perry threw so far, only two came into the strike zone. All of the 1st to 4th pitches were four points, but most of them were high. Bae Ji-hwan could have walked out to first base if his pioneering eyes and patience had been supported a little. It didn't seem to be a struggle at all.
On the other hand, the opposing battery seemed to have figured out that Bae Ji-hwan could not hit the four core more than 95 miles properly. After the five-pitch slider, he threw only the 96-mile four-seam again. Bae barely managed to clear the 6th and 7th pitches with fouls. The swing speed was behind. Then, when the 8th pitch came into the 96.1-mile four-seam course, he struck out swinging without a doubt.
Bae Ji-hwan, who was completely behind in the match against Perry, grounded out in front of the second base in his fourth at-bat after one out in the top of the seventh inning. No hits in four at-bats, two strikeouts. Despite the leadoff, he never stepped on first base. It was the worst game that should never come out again. If this continues, you can never expect a Major League call-up. Bad Ji-hwan needs to wake up.
Reporter Lee Won-man wman@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
