Park Chan-ho worked with Chad Crewter, the catcher, in his heyday. His batting ability declined, but it was a decision that put more weight on pitching ability, as the saying goes, ‘baseball is a pitcher game’.
Park Jin-man (47), the new head coach of the Samsung Lions, is trying to break this stereotype. The plan is to maximize efficiency by using catchers in good condition.
The same goes for the mound. He made it clear that he had already conceived to some extent about the Pilseung-jo, who will be on the mound in the lead situation, but he did not have a definite role other than the finisher.
Samsung’s spring is hot. In the demonstration game, he has 10 wins and 2 losses, and is running for first place alone. In Stove League, Kim Sang-soo, an internal free agent (FA), was sent to KT Wiz and Oh Seon-jin was sent to Hanwha Eagles, and there were no special recruitments except for compensation players. It is all the more surprising because many people had no choice but to pick Samsung as a candidate for the lower ranks.
During the spring camp, Samsung went through the infamous ‘training from hell’. The physical burden of the players was great and they suffered from 6 consecutive losses in the early practice games, but after that, they finished the field training with 3 wins and 1 draw, and the momentum is continuing in the demonstration games.
Looking at the management of the team by Park Jin-man, who is not at all like a beginner, you nod your head. One of them is the abolition of the role division between the dedicated catcher system and Pilseungjo. Head coach Park Jin-man expressed his thoughts on the 26th ahead of the Doosan Bears and Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League demonstration game held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul on the 26th.
The previous day against Doosan, head coach Park Jin-man had Kim Tae-goon play as a pair with starter David Buchanan. The two showed good teamwork, and Samsung continued its 7-game winning streak. Director Park said, “Last year, when I was in the Futures (2nd team), I operated a dedicated catcher system. I am trying to get rid of that and use the catcher according to the condition.” On the other hand, today I’m trying to match Kang Min-ho with Albert Suarez, who worked with Kim Tae-goon last year.”
In Samsung, Kang Min-ho, one of the representative catchers in the KBO League, Kim Tae-gun, who is too good to use only for backup, and Kim Jae-seong, who is showing a hot hitting feeling in this exhibition game, are also included. It is a head-nodding explanation.
However, it can be a burden for pitchers. Buchanan is also a bit sensitive, so he may be dissatisfied. However, coach Park said, “I tried to see that once again, and today is also the context. From a pitcher’s point of view, I would like to become a comfortable catcher, but from the point of view of the team as a whole, it is correct to have a catcher in good condition.” .
The situation is similar for Seungjo Pil. Director Park Jin-man said, “The entry has been conceived to some extent. Pil Seung-jo is going to operate according to his condition. The basic strands are in place.” “he said. 메이저놀이터
It means that the starting pitcher will be followed by A, and the 7th and 8th innings will be determined by the situation of the opposing team’s batting line and the condition of the pitchers, rather than by B and C. Director Park explained, “You will have to be nervous in the bullpen.”
On this day, Battery Suarez and Kang Min-ho blocked the Doosan lineup with one run until the 6th inning. Kang Min-ho, who walked on base in the 7th inning, was replaced by a runner, and even Kim Jae-seong, who started as the designated hitter, was missing, but Kim Tae-gun wore a catcher mask in the second half. Kim Tae-goon was ready. He got a ball that hit his body at bat and shone more in defense. At the end of the 7th and 9th innings, with 1 company on 2nd and 3rd base, Dae-Woo Kim, Jae-Ik Lee, and Seung-Hyun Lee cleverly led and kept a scoreless and 1-run victory. In the bottom of the 8th inning, with 1 out and 1st base, Kim Dae-han, who tried to steal second base, was caught with an accurate throw, lightening the shoulders of the pitchers. Even after that, Lee Jae-ik gave up two consecutive walks, but since Kim Dae-han was caught, Lee Seung-hyun struck out and was able to overcome the crisis.
In terms of pitching management, coach Park Jin-man’s words were the same. Suarez was followed by Kim Dae-woo, but at the end of the 7th inning with 2 out, Lee Jae-ik, and in the 8th inning with 2 out, Lee Seung-hyun. I made sure that the good flow continued, and when it was faltering, I changed it without delay even if it was two companies. And it hit just right. The result was 2-1. Samsung went on an 8-game winning streak.