A Promising Rookie’s Journey
After a game against the Lotte Giants, Park Kwan-woo, a rookie outfielder for the LG Twins, was sitting in the locker room. The coaches had already left, and he thought he might be heading to the second division. However, this was not the end of his story.
Park Kwan-woo made his first start since his debut in the game against the Lotte Giants on the 20th. Unfortunately, he misjudged a hit by Victor Reyes, which led to an unearned run. His defensive performance was shaky, with several minor mistakes that eventually led to his replacement by Choi Won-young in the fifth inning. Despite this, the LG manager, Yeom Kyung-yeop, decided to keep him in the first team. He believed that leaving a mistake as trauma would hinder Park’s growth. As a 19-year-old player, Park needed the experience to develop further.
Reflecting on the incident, Park said, “I thought I might go down (to the second division) because of the defense. I was sitting in the locker room after the game, and all the coaches said they were off work. Oh, I have one more chance. I thought so.”
Despite the challenges, Park Kwan-woo showed promise at the plate. In 12 games with the first team, he had a batting average of 0.353 (6 hits in 17 at-bats), two home runs, six RBIs, and an OPS of 1.095. His batting average in scoring positions was 0.500, which is impressive for a 19-year-old player.
Park Kwan-woo expressed his confidence at the plate, saying, “I’m always confident at bat. Playing the bat is not too much of a burden, and hitting the bat is the most fun. My strength is not to be nervous at the batter’s box.” He also mentioned that he looked up to players like Oh Ji-hwan, feeling that there was something special about them.
His efforts did not go unnoticed. On the 30th, Park started in left field as the sixth batter against the KT Wiz and played an active role in both offense and defense. He contributed to a 5-0 victory with a two-run shot that sealed the win, showcasing his growing confidence and skills.
In the top of the sixth inning, Park prevented a potential run crisis. With two outs and a runner on first base, he made a diving catch to save the game. He admitted that initially, he hesitated but then focused on being the closest to the ball. His determination paid off, and he successfully caught the fly ball.
On the offensive side, Park Kwan-woo continued to shine. In the bottom of the sixth inning, he hit a two-run home run that extended the lead to 3-0. This was his second home run of the season, and it came at a crucial moment when the team needed an additional run.
After the game, manager Yeom Kyung-yeop praised Park Kwan-woo’s concentration in defense and his ability to deliver under pressure. He noted that Park’s home run helped solve the game easily.
Looking ahead, Park Kwan-woo is expected to grow rapidly in the first team if he gains more defensive experience. He has already learned from his mistakes and is adapting to the challenges of playing at a higher level.
Park Kwan-woo shared his thoughts on the transition, saying, “It’s my first time playing baseball in a place with so many fans, but the power of the first team players is different. I didn’t adapt well to the batting, and my mind was floating a lot, so it seems that I don’t move my body well and make a lot of mistakes. There’s Hae-min on the defense side. I ask a lot of questions. I think it’s getting easier as I listen carefully because Hae-min told me about the first start or the judgment of the batting.”
As the LG Twins compete closely with the Hanwha Eagles, Park Kwan-woo is proving to be a valuable asset. His performance and potential make him a key player for the team’s future success.
Park Kwan-woo expressed his gratitude, saying, “There’s not much difference between the first place and the third place, but the coach trusts me and writes it. I want to repay that belief, so I think the results are good because I have that mindset and desperately do it.”
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