Bae left for the U.S. through Incheon International Airport on Tuesday. In an interview with his departure, he said, “Now I have one more person to take responsibility. I think that sense of responsibility will be reflected in his performance at the baseball stadium. Since he played for a full season last year, I expect him to perform better this year based on his experience.”
After signing the contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates in March 2018, Bae has achieved his Major League debut dream in 2022 after gaining four years of experience in the Minor League. His overall record in the Major League was .628, with 121 games batting average of .24 (88 hits in 367 times at bat), with two homers, 38 RBIs, 59 runs scored and 27 steals. Last year, he played as a second baseman and center fielder, spending almost the entire season in the Big League, recording 111 games batting average of .231 (77 hits in 334 times at bat), two homers, 32 RBIs, 54 runs and 24 steals, with an OPS of .608.
“I decided to move to the U.S. early because I want to train in warm weather,” Bae said. “I will also have outdoor training in Los Angeles where Heo Il is serving as a university coach. I will also take a look at (Kang) Jung-ho. I will join the spring camp early in mid-February and prepare for it,” he said of his plan in the U.S.
The Major League Baseball has decided to expand the number of weeks where batters can play from the batter’s box to the first base this year. Previously, batters had to play outside the foul line, but starting this year, the number of weeks has been extended to 3 feet inside the foul line. Like the KBO league, controversy over “three feet” has often arisen in the Major League, and the decision was made to resolve such confusion. Many predict that fast-paced left-handed hitters will have an advantage as the number of weeks is expanded.
“I like it because it will benefit me. I have to use it informally. I think it will be of great help because my biggest strength is speed,” Bae said. On stealing bases this season, he revealed his goal, saying, “I want to run as many times as possible. I want to become a player who can run 50 or 60 steals someday.”
The official Major League media MLB.com mentioned Bae as a candidate for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ starting second baseman this year. “I think that Bae should have minimal offensive capability in the Major League, as long as he is not a catcher, be it a second baseman, a center fielder or a catcher. “I received many opportunities as a rookie last year, but none of them this year, so I need to improve so that I can secure my position in various aspects of offense and defense,” Bae said.스포츠토토
Bae got married to a regular girlfriend in Daegu on the 6th. Now starting a family, Bae said, “I’m going to the U.S. with you. As I got married, I definitely have high expectations. Last year, my uniform was tight at the beginning of the season, but now I feel very baggy. After getting married, I feel like I’m taking good care of my weight and physical strength. This year, I will try to show everything I can show you in the second half of the season,” expressing gratitude to my wife.
“The first priority is not to get hurt,” Bae said of his goal for this season. “I don’t want to go on the injured list anymore. I want to stay on the active roster (26-member roster) all year round rather than the number of games I play, and see the result as well,” he said, renewing his commitment.
