It's time for BAE! Pittsburgh's Bae Ji-hwan will start for the first time since the big league call-up. The fate of staying is at stake in one game

May 14, 2025

AFP Yonhap News

Finally, it's Bae Ji-hwan's time. The fate of a long stay in the big league depends on this one game.

Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bae Ji-hwan (25) has been listed in the starting lineup for the first time since the big league call-up. It's a great opportunity to show your value in offense and defense through full-time games.

Bae will start as the eighth center fielder in the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) away game against the New York Mets at Citi Field in New York on the 14th.

Pittsburgh's new coach Don Kelly made up the starting list in the order of Adam Prezier (second baseman), Isaiah Kinerpalepa (striker), Brian Reynolds (right fielder), Joy Bart (designated hitter), Kibrian Hayes (third baseman), Alexander Canario (left fielder), Jarrod Triolo (first baseman), Bae Ji-hwan (midfielder) and Henry Davis (catcher) in the game against the Mets. The starting pitcher is right-hander Mitch Keller, who has a 1-4 record and a 4.40 ERA this season.

Pittsburgh is still at the bottom of the National League Central (14-28). There is also a six-game gap with the fourth-place Cincinnati Reds. The effect of the manager change is not yet showing much effect. Coach Kelly is literally in a situation where he has to do something. Bae Ji-hwan's sudden call-up is also intended to make a difference somehow.

Bae Ji-hwan has only come out as a pinch runner in three games since Kelly called him to the Major League on the 10th. He scored two points with no hits and two steals in one at-bats. The ability to run has already been firmly recognized. Now, he has to show his value in defense and batting.

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It is the first opportunity to start since the big league call-up and the first start in 45 days since the game against the Miami Marlins on March 30, which was included in the opening entry. The Mets' selection is Japanese right-hander Kodai Senna. Senga, who is already in his third year in the big league with the Mets, has started seven games this season and has shown quite good pitching with 4 wins, 2 losses and an ERA of 1.16.

It's never an easy opponent for Bae Ji-hwan. However, in fact, none of the big league starters are easy for Bae Ji-hwan. This is because Bae Ji-hwan is a step from the bottom. Rather, it can be less burdensome in that sense. If Bae Ji-hwan contributes to the team's victory by making multi-hits in the lower lineup against Senga, he can receive a clear impression in the big league.

Attention is focusing on how Bae Ji-hwan can prove his ability to coach Kelly.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.