I gave you three chances... Shocking third-round relegation, no future for Bae Ji-hwan in Pittsburgh
Sep 16, 2025
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The Pittsburgh club sent Bae Ji-hwan down to Triple-A Indianapolis Indians in the minor league on the 16th (Korea time). To be precise, he was demoted to the minor league immediately after the game on the 15th and registered with Indianapolis on the 16th.
As a result, Bae Ji-hwan was demoted to the minor league for the third time this season. Bae Ji-hwan, who celebrated his fourth year in the Major League this year, performed quite well in the spring camp in March and succeeded in entering the opening entry. Bae Ji-hwan ranked first in the team's batting average, hits, and runs in 20 spring camp games with a batting average of 0.381 (16 hits in 42 at-bats), one home run, four RBIs, 13 points, three walks, three steals, and an OPS of 1.017. As a result, he also expressed expectations that he could become a full-time major leaguer this year.
However, these expectations went up in smoke in just two games. Spring camp's outstanding performance didn't work in the `Real Major League.' In addition, Bae Ji-hwan's careless play was also the cause of the Pittsburgh coaching staff's eyes. On March 30, his first start, he struck out three and went 0-for-4 against Miami. The next day, he came out as a pinch runner against Miami and ran out of Pittsburgh coach Derek Shelton's eyes after showing a chaotic base play.
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In fact, so far, it is clear that Bae Ji-hwan's ability is fixed at exactly 'Triple A level'. Still, Pittsburgh gave him a third chance. It was actually the last test stage.
Bae Ji-hwan was called up to the big league again on the 8th. However, Bae Ji-hwan wasted even the last chance of his career. He may have been motivated, but he lacked concentration. It was only confirmed that his skills are still not up to the level of the big league.
Bae has played in six games since the September call-up, but has not had a single hit. He failed to target Major League pitchers at all. Even the base running ability, which is evaluated as the only advantage, was poor. The feet may be fast, but only the fatal problem of not helping the team was exposed due to poor baseball sense and concentration in the game.
The away game against the Washington Nationals on the 15th was a fatal blow. Bae Ji-hwan, who started as the ninth right fielder on the day, had no hits and one walk in three at-bats. He struck out two times and once again showed that he did not reach the level of the big league.
But there is another scene that was worse than this. It is after he drew a walk after a full-time game in his first at-bat in the top of the second inning. Was it because of his confidence in walking on base. Bae Ji-hwan made a mistake like a high school player.
Bae Ji-hwan immediately stole second base at the next batter Jared Triol. He tried to finish with a headfirst sliding by taking advantage of his fast speed. The start was fast, and the connection between running and sliding was fast. It was a comfortable safe timing.
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As a result, Bae Ji-hwan, who contracted to the fullest, eventually struck out consecutively in the seventh and ninth innings following a grounder to shortstop in the top of the fourth inning, becoming the team's defeat 'X Man'. This is why the notification to the minor leagues was made immediately after the game.
Considering that it has already entered mid-September, Bae Ji-hwan is unlikely to be called up again within this season. In the end, Bae Ji-hwan is likely to play in 13 games in the 2025 season in the Major League, with a batting average of 0.050 (1 hit in 20 at-bats), five walks, nine strikeouts, four steals, and one stolen base.
However, the real meaning of this relegation is separate. Maybe this ended his relationship with Pittsburgh.
Three times in a season, big league call-ups and minor league demotion were repeated. There is only one thing that this means. The fact that Bae Ji-hwan failed to settle in the big leagues three times even though he did not suffer an injury, and gave chances in various ways such as starting and putting in a pinch runner, means that Bae Ji-hwan's ability is just that level. Major League Baseball does not have any regrets about foreign players who have no potential for development.
In the end, in the process of Pittsburgh organizing its squad after the end of the season, Bae Ji-hwan is likely to be out as the first priority. From Pittsburgh's point of view, they have already given them many opportunities. However, it was unsuccessful. There is a good chance of concluding that it is better to empty Bae Ji-hwan's entry and give other prospects a chance. There is no more future for Bae Ji-hwan in Pittsburgh.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
