'Does it make sense for 914 ⅔ innings when he is 38 years old?' The catcher-rich club is starting a full-fledged generation change

Nov 15, 2024

Cho Hyung-woo. Photo=SSG Landers

[Kagoshima (Japan) = Sports Chosun reporter Na Yuri] A rich number of prospective catchers. It must now be seen as a result. SSG Landers will start a full-fledged replacement of the home generation.

SSG selected Lee Yul-ye, a third-year catcher at Gangneung High School, in the first round of the 2025 rookie draft. There were many reactions that it was a bit unexpected. There were so many good pitchers that this year's rookie draft was evaluated as "all-time", and SSG is not an urgent club to catch. However, SSG chose Lee Yul-ye, the best player among the players to name, especially a big catcher prospect that has been hard to see in recent years", he explained.

Naturally, the number of catchers increased. SSG recruited veteran catcher Lee Ji-young through a sign-and-trade method ahead of the 2024 season, and signed a contract with Kim Min-sik, who was an internal FA, after twists and turns. In addition, there is Cho Hyung-woo, the most anticipated catcher in the team, and Park Dae-on and Shin Bum-soo joined through the second draft. There are also promising catchers in the second division, including rookie Kim Kyu-min, and the competition has become even fiercer as high school graduate Lee Yul-ye joined.

Shin Beom-soo. Photo=SSG Landers

It is a fact that Lee Ji-young's weight was too high this season. Lee Ji-young was the most reliable catcher in many ways, including abundant experience, stable pitcher lead, and game management. As SSG competed fiercely at the end of the season until the end, there was a lot of anxiety to reduce its dependence on Lee Ji-young.

However, there has been a consensus that Lee Ji-young must play less frequently next season. Lee Ji-young, born in 1986, is 38 years old this year. He is a player with good physical strength and takes care of himself sincerely, but now he needs an arrangement. Lee Ji-young played 914 ⅔ innings this year, ranking second after LG Park Dong-won (944 ⅔ innings) in the entire league. In addition, the growth of prospective catcher players in the team must be guaranteed to make a natural generational change.

이율예. Photo =SSG Landers

Manager Lee Soo-yong also said, `Next year, we will give as many chances as possible to young catchers such as Cho Hyung-woo and Shin Bum-soo.' Seriza and battery coach Yuji joined the new coaching staff "Lee Ji-young had to play in both doubleheader games at that age, but I don't think so. SSG has so many good catcher resources. I don't know which of these players will take the opportunity, but there should be a player who finds his place through competition by next year's spring camp. In order for the center line to be strong, it is essential to foster young catchers."

Currently, three catchers, Shin Bum-soo, Cho Hyung-woo, and rookie Lee Yul-ye, are conducting a rigorous training schedule under the guidance of coach Serizawa and coach Fumihiro Suzuki at the prospect finishing camp set up in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima, Japan. The rest of the players are currently training in Incheon and Ganghwa.

As the team announced a clear replacement of the home generation next season, the proportion of catchers in their 20s is expected to increase. Rookie Lee Yul-ye is likely to watch and nurture in the Futures League, but Cho Hyung-woo and Shin Bum-soo are motivated through competition in good faith.

youll@sportschosun.com