It's going back to the happy season for recruiting Kang Baek-ho...10 billion won ↑ ultra-large jackpot, depends on defensive competitiveness
Jan 27, 2025
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Kang Baek-ho (26, KT Wiz)'s move a year later is already drawing attention. Kang Baek-ho will be eligible for FA when he finishes the 2025 season normally.
Since joining the team, he has been evaluated as a `great batting talent.' Kang Baek-ho has also fully proved his value. In his first year as a rookie, he won the Rookie of the Year award with a batting average of 299 home runs and an OPS of 0.880 in 138 games.
In 2019, the number of home runs fell to 13, but the batting average rose to 336, and the batting average continued to hit more than 330 in 2020 and 2021. He played only 62 games in 2022 due to toe and hamstring injuries, but in 2023, he complained of mental stress amid various controversies and stayed in 71 games.
Finished all the wanderings in 2024 and bounced back perfectly. He played in 144 games and posted a batting average of 289 with 26 home runs and an OPS of 0.840."
In attack, there was no doubt 'genius batter'. Kang Baek-ho also had a factor that shook his value. Since joining the team, he has been an outfielder and first baseman designated hitter. In 2020 and 2021, he received the Golden Glove in the first baseman category, but his defense was disappointed.
He took on an unconventional challenge last year. Kang Baek-ho came out as a catcher last year. As he was both a catcher and a pitcher when he was a student at Seoul High School, it was evaluated that he was fully utilized as a backup catcher. Kang Baek-ho, who was in his first year as a catcher, played 169 ⅔ innings in 30 games.
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Although he was recognized for his value as a catcher for his clear batting ability, the "Preliminary FA Premium" also played a part in the background of his all-time rising salary.
FA Kang Baek-ho is very popular. Some said that a massive contract worth more than 10 billion won is possible as he has a clear attack at a young age in his mid-20s. Fans also turned the 'Hope Circuit ' as they worked on the lineup with Kang Baek-ho.
As much as the interest is hot, KT could not just let go. He expressed his intention to receive 'reward' for sure even if he sends it to another team due to the dramatic increase in salary.
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However, in order to lead to an ultra-large contract of more than 10 billion won, Kang Baek-ho himself must be recognized for his competitiveness in defense. Rather than designated hitters, they need to have their own positions to increase their utilization.
Kang Baek-ho left for Australia, the first spring camp site, via Incheon International Airport on the 26th. At the time of the announcement of the spring camp list, Kang Baek-ho's position was as a catcher. For the first time, Kang Baek-ho will prepare for the season as a catcher from the spring camp.
If Kang Baek-ho succeeds in settling the catcher in 2025, the FA market is likely to heat up more than ever.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
