Lotte Giants’ Young Gun Choi (22) has made up his mind. He gave up his dream of becoming a hitter and focused on pitching again.

Choi appeared in 47 games this year, pitching 47⅔ innings and posting a 2-3 record with 14 saves. He was plagued by injuries and slumps in the first half of the year, but regained his form in the second half to help Lotte compete in fall baseball. His 2.45 ERA is a career low.

However, repeated injuries and hesitation plagued the young pitcher. Injuries have plagued him since his sophomore year, most notably the long rehabilitation he endured after being diagnosed with a rotator cuff tear in his shoulder. Throwing with pain in his arm, he lacked the stability to match his skill. His pitches were off and on.

After the season ended, he discussed switching to a batting position with the newly appointed coach Kim Tae-hyung. In fact, 먹튀검증 it seemed like a no-brainer to the manager who declared that he would win the championship in three years.

The difference in value between a pitcher and a hitter is enormous.

As a pitcher, he is promised to be a first-team starter, but as a hitter, he is just getting started. His only experience as an infielder was in middle school. No matter how good his baseball sense is, he needs a lot of time to adapt to hitting. As for his defense, there’s no question.

Coach Kim Tae-hyung wanted Choi to stay on as a pitcher, but he also wanted him to participate in batting practice, take pitches, and do whatever else he wanted. “Do what you want,” he said, “and let’s talk about it after the APBC (Asian Professional Baseball Championship).

Since his debut, Choi’s fastball has been rated as one of the best in the league. His rising fastball could reach over 150 kilometers. His flexible pitching form was also praised.

But in addition to his talent, Choi is also a hard worker. He bounced back from several major injuries. Choi started with a slider and added a sweeper and a changeup. He has also improved his fastball, which was lacking last year.

He pitched impressively at the APBC and regained his confidence.

The national team coaches and players, including Ryu Jung-il, said, “Why bat when you have a ball like this?” After returning, coach Kim Tae-hyung and the Lotte coaching staff agreed.

Now he has changed his mind. “I think 2023 will be remembered as the year I was most tired and had a lot of thoughts and worries,” Choi Jun-yong said on his social media recently.

“I realized once again how important an injury is, and it made me think a lot, wander a lot, and learn a lot,” he added.

“I think I showed a lot of good things in 2020 and 2021 from my rookie position, and I had a lot of expectations, and I didn’t live up to them, 카지노사이트 순위 and I had a disappointing 2022 and 2023. I’m truly sorry,” he said, adding, “I know it’s not easy. For the upcoming 2024 season, I will not be sick anymore and I will do well to fulfill expectations. Thank you for your support in good times and bad,” he concluded.