‘ML top 2% focus’ Surprised by Bae Ji-hwan… “Toned down to this extent? I can’t believe it”

Bae Ji-hwan (24, Pittsburgh Pirates) once again failed to achieve 20 stolen bases for the second time as a Korean major leaguer. However, local media in Pittsburgh did not hold back their praise for Bae Ji-hwan.

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, an American media outlet, said on the 14th (Korean time), “Pittsburgh will not be surprised to see that Bae Ji-hwan quickly adapted to the game,” paying attention to Bae Ji-hwan’s rapid growth after being pointed out for base running mistakes at the end of May. .토토사이트

During March and April, Ji-Hwan Bae made 11 out of 12 stolen base attempts, emerging as a strong candidate for the National League stealer king. However, his rise was cut short as he failed four of his six stolen base attempts in his first 15 games in May. In particular, in a home game against the Texas Rangers on the 24th of last month, he recorded 2 hits in 3 at-bats, but both on bases were run by mistake, and he heard bitter criticism from the local media. On the first hit in the third inning, Texas starter Nathan Eovaldi was caught in check and out at first base, and in the eighth inning, the follow-up hitter, Andrew McCutchen, misjudged the batted ball and died in the process of returning to second base while advancing to third base. .

At the time, Pittsburgh coach Derek Shelton said, “If I decided to run once, I had to run as it is.” Bae Ji-hwan’s quick feet are (our team’s) real weapon, but if you use them carelessly, we can’t use them (when necessary).

About 15 days later, Bae Ji-hwan has definitely changed. He subsequently appeared in 16 games, adding 6 stolen bases, but only failed once. On this day (14th), it was the first time that the Chicago Cubs and the 2023 Major League Baseball away game held at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, USA, attempted to steal 2nd base from 1st base in the 4th inning, but failed after video reading. At the same time, he delayed the opportunity to become the second Korean major leaguer to record 20 stolen bases in one season after Choo Shin-soo (41, SSG Landers).

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette said, “Bae Ji-hwan has been playing a little more cautiously since mid-May. He changed his approach at the plate to make contact stronger even at the cost of power.” illuminated

According to the media, Pittsburgh made Bae Ji-hwan understand the situation in which he could take risks and the situation in which he should pay attention after his failed base steal against Arizona on the 21st of last month. Bae Ji-hwan said, “Every hitter wants to hit a home run. But I tried to do what I could do better. Hit the ball in play and go out to the base to score. I adjusted that.” I tried to read it well. If I make a mistake, the club explains ‘something is better’. (Everyone) is trying to make me a better player.”

Bae Ji-hwan’s main power was overwhelming, even though he made some adjustments to improve his stealing success rate. According to Baseball Savant, an official major league statistics site, Bae Ji-hwan’s sprint speed (maximum speed) was in the top 2% of the major league (ML).

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette wrote, “Ji-hwan Bae is incredibly quick. Only 11 major leaguers have a run faster than his average sprint speed (29.7 feet per second). Bae’s average time to first base is 4.05 seconds, which is 4.05 seconds in the majors. 1 in the league,” he said, “if Bae Ji-hwan is really toned down to this extent, the Pittsburgh club will be thrilled with his talent. Although he sometimes makes judgments to bypass the ball, Bae Ji-hwan was great in center field. To be honest. Right now, he could be Pittsburgh’s best center fielder option.”

Bae Ji-hwan (24, Pittsburgh Pirates) once again failed to achieve 20 stolen bases for the second time as a Korean major leaguer. However, local media in Pittsburgh did not hold back their praise for Bae Ji-hwan. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, an American media outlet, said on the 14th (Korean time), “Pittsburgh will not be surprised to…