We're a unanimous last-place candidate? I'm confident that I'll turn the tables on the counterattack
Feb 23, 2025
|
The Kiwoom Heroes are a strong last-place candidate expected by baseball officials this season. Of course, there are reasons of its own. Kiwoom has been at the bottom and last place for the past two years in a row.
In 2023, the season just before Lee Jung-hoo entered the Major League, and 2024, the season before Kim Hye-sung went to the Major League. It was ranked 10th for the second consecutive year.
The hot heat that finished second in the Korean Series in the 2022 postseason with a 'Underdog Rebellion' cooled for two years. However, now there is no Lee Jung-hoo or Kim Hye-sung, and key players such as Choi Won-tae and Cho Sang-woo have left the team due to trade. In addition, the re-signing of the league's top pitchers, Enmanuel De Heysus and Ariel Hurad, was effectively abandoned for operational reasons. 'Ace'An Woo-jin is also about to be discharged from the military in the second half of this year, so he cannot help his power right now.
No special 'plus' element, only 'minus'. From an external point of view, placing Kiwoom as the last-place candidate may be the most reasonable decision.
However, Kiwoom, who is currently playing the second spring camp schedule in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, is preparing for this season stronger than expected. First of all, two strong foreign batters (Ruben Cadines and Yasiel Puig) are waiting for the opening in good condition, and one foreign pitcher (Kenny Rosenberg), but on the contrary, young pitchers in their 20s are more motivated than ever.
Promising players, who have not yet shown their true value in the first team, have improved remarkably in this camp, leaving the impression that they are stronger than expected.
|
However, baseball has many variables because the ball is round, and a year is long. Our players prepared a lot from last year's offseason to camp. If we do well in the year, I think this season will be a completely different season from the last two"I'm determined.
Coach Hong Won-ki, who is directly watching the players' efforts, is not paying attention to the external evaluation itself. Hong said, `We have to open the lid. We were at the bottom for two years, but if we had to rank it. In fact, we did a good job until the end. As you can see in the winning rate, there was not much difference. Likewise this year, if we don't sag in the beginning, we are confident enough to reverse those evaluations. The players are also the same. "Because they've acquired it for two consecutive years, the players are also grinding their teeth and preparing." I absolutely do not want to react to such an opinion. No one can guarantee the result if we do our best, stick to the basics, and keep our promise to do our best in every game.
|
Coach Hong Won-ki also said, `We didn't support the batting, and I think the fight for the semifinals would have been enough if we caught seven to eight games that were overturned in the second half of the game. Last year, the performance of the starting pitchers and the team's defense rate were not lagging behind those of the top teams. If I had to pick one, there are some things I'm disappointed about, but this year, I think I'm competitive enough if I get strong from the beginning of the season," he stressed.
The departure of Furado and Heysus, and the recruitment of two foreign batters. It was a reasonable decision for the coach, but on the contrary, there is certainly anxiety. But the hope is greater.
Director Hong Won-ki said, `We cannot deny the anxiety. But just as a manager, young pitchers can think that 'I have a chance now, too. I have expectations that among our pitchers, there will be enough pitchers who will suit the position" he said.
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
