Byun Woo-hyuk, a “big prospect” expected by KIA in professional baseball, was originally an inseparable player from orange. Since he was born in his hometown of Gangneung and moved to Cheongju with his family when he was a child, he has been sprouting in Hanwha’s hometown. He went to Cheonan Bukil High School and walked the path of “pure blood” by wearing Hanwha’s uniform as the first designation of his hometown in the 2019 KBO Rookie Draft. The orange uniform he has been wearing since his high school days, but only one inflection point gave him red.메이저사이트
◆ From the Eagle to the Tiger
It was a trade deal between the Hanwha Eagles and the KIA Tigers in November 2022. KIA, which paid attention to Byun’s slugging capability, predicted that it would provide resources to strengthen its batting lineup, following the footsteps of big guns such as Choi Hyung-woo and Na Sung-bum. It made a bold bet on Byun’s future by giving up two pitchers – Han Seung-hyuk and Jang Ji-soo.
He is thriving. He had a batting average of 0.225 (45 hits in 200 at-bats) and seven homers and 24 RBIs in 83 games last year. He displayed contrast by showing off his disappointing contact compared to his power, but he did not have many opportunities this year due to the solid composition of Kia players. However, Lee Woo-sung, who had been serving as the first baseman, has become a genius. He bragged about his infield defense capability at corners and improved offensive capability, which he gained by taking advantage of opportunities. He had a batting average of 0.293 (46 hits in 157 at-bats) in 64 games, five homers and 18 RBIs, and made critical achievements to give Kia, which had been accelerating its win in the pennant race.
◆ Dreams come true
Despite hard training, Byun’s face is bright. “I always focus on ‘let’s not get greedy’. I try not to pay attention except for timing because the results are good when I am at bat without complicated thoughts,” he said. “I am not at the stage to be satisfied yet. We didn’t get many home runs or RBIs. I try to concentrate as much as I can when I have runners in front of me.”
Above all, winning the first place in the regular season of the team is the biggest boost. “I’ve only won the runner-up prize once when I was a student. It’s amazing that the number of magic numbers is decreasing like this. I also feel proud that I’m playing baseball in the No. 1 team. I wonder if this would have happened if I hadn’t come to the Korea Baseball Organization. I’m just grateful every day,” he said with a smile.
He is not in the right stage to be satisfied. His team is also facing a big stage called KS. “I want to get a chance, but I’m not a starting player. It’s meaningless to whine for a chance. Opportunities come only when you show good performance from time to time,” Byun said.
He cannot hide his nervousness and excitement. “KS is the stage that every player dreams of and wants to stand on at least once. I often imagine that. But no one knows if I will make the roster or if I will get a chance,” he said. “I just focus on my current role as the backup of a great team. I’m trying my best to match the pace and atmosphere of the players on the ground so that I don’t have to lag behind in the game whenever I play.”