I wonder if there was this type among Korean major leaguers of all time. 100% stealing success rate so far. Bae Ji-hwan (24, Pittsburgh Pirates) is always making Pittsburgh fans go wild with his phenomenal base run play.
Bae Ji-hwan started스포츠토토 as the 8th hitter and center fielder in the 2023 Major League away game against the Colorado Rockies held at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado, USA on the 18th (Korean time), and played a big role with 1 hit in 4 at-bats, 2 RBIs, 3 runs, 1 steal, and the team’s 14 -3 led to a major victory.
There was only one hit. However, Ji-Hwan Bae’s runner-up play was phenomenal enough that he homered three times. It is a story that every time he stepped on first base, he stirred up the opponent’s defense that much.
Bae Ji-hwan got his first at-bat in the top of the second inning when his team was leading 2-0, with a chance to first and third base safely. He attempted a squeeze bunt toward first base against Colorado starter Kyle Freeland. After checking Bae Ji-hwan’s batted ball, it was a safety squeeze bunt that third base runner Rodolfo Castro rushed home. At this time, Freeland, who caught the batted ball, threw it home, but Bae Ji-hwan, who was the home of third base runner Castro, scored the 7th RBI of the season. The official record was a fielder’s choice following a sacrifice bunt.
Then Bae Ji-hwan, who stepped on first base, started a splendid base run play. Bae Ji-hwan went to second base when Austin Hedges hit a timely hit. Prior to the first pitch, Freeland showed concern by throwing a check ball toward second base where Bae Ji-hwan was located. But Bae Ji-hwan didn’t care. He boldly dug into third base during his first pitch match with key Brian Hayes. At the same time, the runner on first base also went to second base. It was the moment when the double steal was successful.
This steal was Bae Ji-hwan’s 5th base steal this season. Bae Ji-hwan attempted to steal five times this season and succeeded in all of them. 100% stealing success rate. Bae Ji-hwan attempted to steal three bases last season and succeeded in all of them. It wasn’t even stealing second base, it was stealing third base. Stealing can also throw cold water on a team’s flow if it fails. However, despite Freeland’s attempt to check once, Bae Ji-hwan succeeded in stealing third base. It was a difficult operation to do if you did not have enough confidence in running. In the end, Bae Ji-hwan added the score by stepping into the home with ease during Hayes’ timely hit.
A chance to get 1st and 3rd base safely in the top of the 3rd inning, when the team was ahead 7-0. The batted ball pushed by Bae Ji-hwan headed toward the shortstop. If Bae Ji-hwan’s legs were slow, it could lead to a double play. However, the runner on first base was out on second base, but Bae Ji-hwan lived comfortably at first base. At this time, as the runner on third base stepped on the groove, Bae Ji-hwan added another RBI. Bae Ji-hwan, who went to second base when Hedges grounded to third base, stepped home again when Hayes hit at the right time. Bae Ji-hwan’s feet were so fast that the opponent’s outfield gave up the relay play early.
The fifth inning when the team was ahead 9-1. My feet shined again. The third at-bat with a chance to first base safely. Bae Ji-hwan’s ground ball was caught by third baseman Elephris Montero. Montero threw the ball to first base with ease after the catch, but it was safe. It was a complacent play that didn’t take into account Bae Ji-hwan’s fast legs. The official record is a throwing error by the third baseman. Bae Ji-hwan, who went to first base this time, returned home. Bae Ji-hwan, who was on second base, scored his third run when Brian Reid’s left-handed hit from 1st out, 1st and 2nd base.
Bae Ji-hwan’s instinct to run continued. In the 6th inning, when the team was ahead 13-1, there were no runners and 2 out. Bae Ji-hwan sent a slow ball toward third base, but opponent third baseman Montero did not even think of throwing it to first base after catching the ball. infield hit It was the moment when he achieved hits, runs scored, RBIs, and stolen bases.
This season, Bae Ji-hwan played in 15 games and recorded a batting average of 0.220 (11 hits in 50 at-bats), 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 8 RBIs, 10 runs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.658. In particular, his steals are 5th in the National League (as of the 18th Korean time) with 5 steals. The first place is Nico Horner (Chicago Cubs) with 9. Although there is a difference of 4 points, it is Bae Ji-hwan’s performance that can be said to be high enough. In the meantime, there were many players who put more weight on long hitting than mobility as a fielder in the Korean major leagues. Bae Ji-hwan, however, is of a slightly different type. Like Super Sonic, he uses his fast feet as his main weapon to energize the team.
Bae Ji-hwan’s play is also paying attention in the US. On the 18th, CBS Sports, an American media, praised Bae Ji-hwan for his productive play that contributed to the team’s victory, and then said, “The squeeze bunt contributed to the situation in which Pittsburgh scored 6 points in the second inning. Every time he plays, he changes the lineup a lot. However, Bae Ji-hwan is constantly getting opportunities to start. Despite his batting average of 0.220, on-base percentage of 0.278, and slugging percentage of 0.380, he entered the plate 55 tiMES.