Shim Woo-joon of 5 billion FA also knows. I'm the first hitter, so I'll react. I'll overcome it

Feb 09, 2025

사진=김용 기자

[Melbourne (Australia) = Reporter Kim Yong from Sports Chosun] "No.1 batting order. It's a bit burdensome but..."

Hanwha Eagles coach Kim Kyung-moon said, `It's time to do well.' I was appointed during the last season. The real first season is this year. He is going through the process of making a complete team from last year's final training and this year's Melbourne spring camp in Australia.

In the process, I also received a big gift. Hanwha recruited starter Um Sang-baek and shortstop Shim Woo-joon with bold FA investment. It was an unprecedented investment of 7.8 billion won and 5 billion won.

Coach Kim welcomed Shim Woo-joon. A player who will solve the shortstop defense problem, which was pointed out as Hanwha's weakness. On top of that, he even has fast feet that head coach Kim likes. He has the main strength to steal 40-50 bases if he plays steadily and increases his on-base percentage.

Photo Zegon=Hanwha Eagles

Therefore, coach Kim predicted Shim Woo-joon as a leadoff this season early on. Immediately after his recruitment, he said to Shim Woo-joon, who came to Japan's closing camp, `Please prepare for the role of No. 1.' Hanwha has struggled to find the right No. 1 hitter over the past two seasons.

However, there are some pros and cons. The batting average and on-base percentage have been too low for Shim Woo-joon to take charge of No. 1. His career-high batting average was 287 when he played 303 at-bats in the 2017 season. Most of them stayed in the early and mid-20s of the season. The on-base percentage is also in the early 30s. Based on the figures alone, No. 1 hitter is not enough.

Shim Woo-jun, whom I met at the Melbourne camp, said "It was helpful to go to the closing camp in Japan together. It's the new team's spring camp, and it's definitely quick to adapt. It's definitely in the mood of the team," he said confidently.

사진=김용 기자

Shim Woo-joon said of batting order No. 1 "In fact, when I joined the team, I didn't even think about No. 1 at all. But the director gave me a sneak peek during the closing camp. And he told me more clearly when he came to Australia. He told me not to feel pressured."

Shim Woo-joon continued "In fact, he had a desire to be the first hitter while playing baseball. But speaking of number 1, people around me seemed to think it was bad. I feel pressure, too. There was a time when he failed as No. 1 when he was a KT Wiz player. But we have to get through it. Professional players can't play baseball comfortably without any pressure. I want to show you that I've grown more by settling down at No. 1." Shim Woo-joon also said that he felt intimidated when he saw comments or SNS posts about himself. This is because there are many negative opinions about batting order 1. Still, if you let me do it, I'll do it. I'll get over it. The first hitter is more fun than the ninth hitter. He also stressed that he always talked about that with Park Chan-ho (KIA)."

photo courtesy of Hanwha Eagles

If Shim Woo-joon becomes No. 1, he should go to Suwon KT Wiz Park to meet his opening game KT and take the batter's box first. Shim Woo-joon said "I think it's okay to attack in the bottom of the first inning, but just imagining it makes me feel a little nauseous."," he said with a smile. He added, "'I'm not saying I hate the scene, but I think I'll be nervous because there's a lot of emotions that have to intersect in many ways.'"

In the end, in order to increase the batting average and on-base percentage, you need to reduce big swings and make short and concise hits. You have to use your innate power. Shim Woo-joon "The coach also orders line drive balls. I'm trying to absorb my strengths by training with Chae Eun-sung and An Chi-hong. I want to hit in the middle between Chihong who takes a picture of the ball and Eunsung who takes a level swing", he explained.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.