“Watch me”… Dauntless determination of KIA ‘new catcher’ who left ‘main catcher’
“I hope you will watch over me.”
The KIA Tigers have changed their catcher ahead of this season. Joo Hyo-sang was recruited through a trade from Kiwoom Heroes카지노사이트. Park Dong-won left the KIA as a free agent (FA) by signing a four-year contract worth 6.5 billion won with the LG Twins.
The KIA catchers are preparing for the season by sweating in the second camp held at Kin Stadium in Okinawa, Japan. A total of 4 catchers participated in this camp. These are Kim Seon-woo, Shin Beom-soo, Joo Hyo-sang, and Han Seung-taek.
All four players are competing in good faith to become the starting catcher. Manager Kim Jong-guk said, “Right now, four players, Seung-taek, Hyo-sang, Seon-woo, and Beom-soo, have come to the camp. They will think of it as an opportunity.” .
Next, coach Kim Jong-guk added, “Han Seung-taek was in the first team for a full season. He is an experienced player. Hyo-sang also had first-team experience during his training days. Sunwoo and Bum-soo also have their own strengths. We are considering ways to utilize them.”
Joo Hyo-sang met reporters at Kin Stadium on February 28 and said, “I am not in bad shape. I am taking good care of my arm after surgery. There is no throwing problem. It is uncomfortable, but I think it is a process.” I think I will finish preparing well for the actual battle in Japan.”
What coach Kim Jong-guk emphasizes to catchers is defense. Joo Hyo-sang also agreed. He said, “Of course it’s right. Defense comes first,” he said.
With the departure of catcher Park Dong-won last season, there is an evaluation that the KIA catchers are weak. However, Joo Hyo-sang said, “I often talk with Seung-taek hyung. Seung-taek hyung said, ‘Outside eyes are not important. We have prepared well for the season. We just need to show it.’ Yes. I hope you will keep an eye on it.”
Meanwhile, Joo Hyo-sang recorded 1 hit in 2 at-bats with a pinch hit in the top of the 8th inning in a practice game against the Samsung Lions held at Akama Stadium in Onna-son, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 1st. KIA will play its second practice game against the Lotte Giants at Kin Stadium on the 3rd.