Korean prospects are also cheering for the return of ‘Captain’.
The Pittsburgh Pirates are dreaming of a change of atmosphere by signing new veteran players ahead of this season. Korean major leaguer Choi Ji-man (32) is one of them.
There are names that stand out. It is Andrew McCutchen (37). McCutchen was once an icon of Pittsburgh. The nickname ‘Captain’ who leads Pittsburgh, the ‘Pirate Corps’, was a very fitting player.
McCutchen was selected by Pittsburgh in the first round of the 2005 draft, fulfilling his dream of making his 2009 major league debut. McCutchen, who won All-Star, Gold Glove, and Silver Slugger for the first time in his life with a batting average of .327 with 31 homers, 96 RBIs and 20 steals in 2012, marked a batting average of .317 with 21 homers, 84 RBIs and 27 stolen bases in 2013, helping Pittsburgh to become the first player in 21 years. He played a big role in advancing to fall baseball and vomited the spirit of being selected as the National League MVP. 메이저놀이터
McCutchen, who played in Pittsburgh until 2017, later returned to Pittsburgh ahead of this season through the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers. His career major league performance was a .277 batting average with 287 home runs and 1002 RBI.
Korean prospect Bae Ji-hwan (24), who debuted last year in the major leagues and left a batting average of .333 with 6 RBIs and 3 stolen bases, and hopes to enter the roster for this year’s Opening Day, also welcomed McCutchen’s return ahead of his departure to the United States on the 10th. “As you know, ‘Captain (McCutchin)’
Bae Ji-hwan said, “When I was interviewed at the stadium last time, I said, ‘I grew up watching (Kang) Jeong-ho. Because of that, the feeling is new.”
Next, Bae Ji-hwan said, “Last year, there were only friends and peers, so to be honest, I was distracted. Like a pot, I was hot when I did well and cold when I didn’t.” I wonder if the leadership of ‘Captain’ who returned to Pittsburgh will be a catalyst to promote Bae Ji-hwan’s growth.