In 2010, Choo Shin-soo recorded 22 stolen bases. In 2023, Bae Ji-hwan (Pittsburgh Pirates) stole 19 bases in the first two months. Creating a new history in the major leagues is just around the corner.
In the 2023 Major League Baseball home game against the New York Mets held at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA on the 12th (hereinafter Korean time), Bae Ji-hwan started as second baseman in No. 7 and recorded 1 hit and 1 run in 4 at-bats. He has not stolen bases in two consecutive games since the game against the New York Mets in the 10th.메이저놀이터
On this day, Corbin Carroll (Arizona Diamondbacks) added a stolen base in an away game against the Detroit Tigers. With this, Bae Ji-hwan and Carroll tied for second in the National League with 19 stolen bases. He beat Starling Marte (New York Mets, 18 stolen bases) by one car.
The gap with Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves, 28 stolen bases), who ranked first in the National League in stolen bases, is large. It is difficult to suddenly close the nine gaps. Bae Ji-hwan’s hitting production is also noticeable for a first-year big league player, but Acuna and Carroll’s production is very good. Acuna is ranked No. 1 in the National League MVP, and Carroll is No. 1 in the National League Rookie of the Year race.
Still, it is certain that Bae Ji-hwan will go beyond Choo Shin-soo and rewrite the history of stealing bases among Korean major leaguers. The record for the most stolen bases in a season by a Korean major leaguer was 22 stolen bases by Choo Shin-soo (Cleveland Guardians) in 2010. Bae Ji-hwan surpasses Choo Shin-soo and has a pace that allows him to steal 30 or 40 bases, the highest among Korean major leaguers.
What’s even more surprising is that Shin-soo Choo was tied for 22nd in stolen bases in the American League in 2010. He was also 20th in the American League and 13th in 2009 and 2012 with 21 stolen bases. Even when he stole 20 bases in 2013 with the Cincinnati Reds, he was 16th in the National League.
Even if it is not easy for Bae Ji-hwan to become the National League stealing king, it should be seen as a great achievement just to keep second place two months after the opening. It is true that the Major League has changed this year to encourage running baseball, such as introducing a pitch clock, banning defensive shifts, and increasing the size of the base.
Bae Ji-hwan had 2 steals in March, 9 steals in April, 4 steals in May, and 4 steals in June. The pace in June is steeper than in May. The temperature is rising, and we have entered a time when physical fitness is important. At this point, it is only a matter of time before he surpasses Choo Shin-soo, and it is certain that he will change the history of Korean major leaguers stealing bases. If there are no injuries and the batting pace does not drop rapidly, 2023 will likely be remembered as a season that clearly proves Bae Ji-hwan’s kicking ability.