Stealing bases and defense, now even a home run. The American Major League Baseball (MLB) is falling for the charm of ‘Super Utility Man’ Bae Ji-hwan (24, Pittsburgh).
Bae Ji-hwan started as the 8th hitter and second baseman in the 2023 MLB away game against the Boston Red Sox held at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts on the 5th (Korean time), and led the team 4-1 with a come-from-behind two-run home run and a decisive win. won the victory
Bae Ji-hwan, who caught the attention of the MLB with multi-hits스포츠토토 and stolen bases as a starter in the opening game, showed off his versatility with defense and long hits this time.
With Pittsburgh trailing 0-1, Bae Ji-hwan, who was at bat with two runners on first base in the top of the second inning when Pittsburgh was trailing 0-1, hit Boston starter Nick Pivetta’s third fastball at 152.5 km/h, passing the ‘Green Monster’, the symbol of Fenway Park, in a reverse turn. fired the gun The exit velocity reached 164 km/h. The flight distance was only 109m, but it was even more surprising that it crossed the left wall of Fenway Park, which is 11.3m high.
Bae Ji-hwan, who was called up to the big leagues in September of last year, received a lot of attention even before the opening game, started the season and caught 2 hits and 2 stolen bases. It was his first home run in 14 games in the big leagues. It was all the more surprising because he had only hit 16 home runs in the minor leagues over the past four years.
He struck out in the second at-bat in the 4th inning and grounded to first base in the 7th inning, but Bae Ji-hwan proved his worth this time not at bat but on defense. In defense at the bottom of the 6th inning, he caught a ground ball from second baseman Rafael Devers with his backhand and turned around, eliminating one infield hit with a perfect throw and transforming into an outfielder in the 8th inning.
Bae Ji-hwan, who moved to center fielder, stably caught the batted ball from lead hitter Alex Verdugo and rang Debus once again. Bae Ji-hwan chased after Devers’ batted ball toward the left-middle wall with his quick feet and caught it with great jumping power. Bae Ji-hwan, who protected the batted ball without falling even after hitting the fence, confirmed his batted ball and roared. Devers, who had already reached second base, could not hide his collapse.
Praise continues for Bae Ji-hwan, who played a big role in defense with 1 hit in 4 at-bats (1 home run), 2 RBIs and 1 run.
In an interview with MLB.com after the game, coach Derek Shelton said, “The batting, defense, running base, as well as the defense that Bae Ji-hwan removed in the bottom of the 8th inning was really amazing.” couldn’t
In particular, regarding the defense scene in the 8th inning, he said, “I have never played center fielder at Fenway Park, so it must not have been easy to defend.” It implied that Bae Ji-hwan could be used more widely in the future.
He couldn’t hide his delight at the unexpected home run. Coach Shelton said, “It was great that Bae Ji-hwan hit his first home run at Fenway Park.
Brian Reynolds, who watched Bae Ji-hwan’s defense while playing left field, said, “It was an incredible scene. I didn’t think Bae Ji-hwan would catch it, so I prepared for the ball to hit the fence.” I watched him ‘suck up’ the ball before getting hit, and it was really impressive.”
Bae Ji-hwan also said, “Green Monster was a really great wall.
MLB.com said, “It didn’t matter where Bae Ji-hwan was that night,” and “he was contributing greatly.” Trilive of the United States said, “Pairits rookie Bae Ji-hwan created a monster-like game with his first career home run and spectacular catch,” and “Bae Ji-hwan had a monster-like night that everyone in Boston envied.”
Trilive said, “What’s more impressive is the trust the Pirates showed when they converted him from second base to center fielder in the latter half of the game.” He expressed a surprising reaction to Lake Bi.