Choi Jun-yong (22), a must-win card for the Lotte Giants on the Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) national team, grabbed the bat.
Choi Jun-yong, who was selected in the first round by Lotte in 2020 after graduating from Gyeongnam High School
achieved 9 wins, 11 losses, 15 saves, and 48 holds (average ERA 3.50) in 190 first-team games. 바카라사이트닷컴
He won 20 holds in 2021, setting a personal record for the most in a single season, and also won 14 holds this season.
However, due to his frequent injuries, he is trying to transform into a batsman starting from the finishing camp.
On the 7th, Choi Jun-yong started batting training under the watchful eye of manager Ryu Joong-il and QC coach Lee Jin-young.
Coach Ryu Joong-il said, “When I heard that he wanted to hit, I told him to give it a try.
He has a good swing path,” he said, giving him a generous score.
QC coach Lee Jin-young said, “For someone who was a pitcher, he’s hitting quite well.
He feels more flexible than Ha Jae-hoon,” he praised.
Choi Jun-yong, who came into the dugout after finishing batting practice, said, “I was so nervous because the national team hitters were watching.
I think he needs a lot of practice,” he grinned.
He said, “I really like playing. He does the same on defense.
It’s fun when a batted ball comes to me during pitcher fielding training (PFP).
(Two batting at the same time) is difficult, but I have to do something fun, so I don’t know how it will turn out
but if I get to bat, I want to put in a lot of effort and do well.
He said, “I will return to the mindset of a rookie and take things step by step.”
There is only one reason why Choi Jun-yong is attempting to transform into a batsman.
This is because he has a strong desire to play baseball without injury.
Although it is truly a difficult challenge
he is determined to play his favorite game of baseball to the fullest.
“He became mentally exhausted as he was often sick and rehabilitated.
Originally, he thought that when he was sick, he would work harder to advance to the first team and do well
but he rehabilitates once or twice a year and has rehabilitated three times this year alone.
I think the biggest thing is the injury.
He really wants to be a pitcher, but he has a big desire to play fun baseball so that he doesn’t get sick while playing the baseball he loves.
These are the words of Junyong Choi.
Choi Jun-yong’s batting role models are Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta Braves outfielder)
Son A-seop (NC Dinos outfielder), and Jeon Jun-woo (Lotte Giants outfielder).
He said, “My goal is to become a player who can hit well, catch well, and run well like Acuna Jr.
He also wants to become a key player in a team like senior Ah-seop, maintaining a batting average of .300 every year without injury.
He said, “I want to emulate senior Junwoo’s attitude toward baseball and the way he always works hard.”
Ahead of his transformation into a batsman, he confided his true feelings to Jeon Jun-woo and Son Ah-seop.
What advice did your seniors give you? “Senior Junwoo said, ‘The best thing is to continue as a pitcher
but if he becomes a fielder, he has to work hard.
I sent my batting video to Senior Aseop and received his feedback.
We decided to train together this winter.
Not long ago, he gave me 20 pairs of batting gloves and encouraged me, saying, ‘If you’re going to bat, don’t worry about supplies and just focus on baseball.
Senior Gangnam also said, ‘If you play a beast, I’ll do everything.
He said, ‘Wouldn’t it be better to try pitching before doing that?’”
Choi Jun-yong placed more emphasis on becoming a hitter rather than double hitting.
I would like to change careers rather than have a side job, but I wonder if there are plans from the club as well.
I really want to be a fielder, but if that doesn’t work, a situation may arise where I have to play both pitches.
He may have to just pitch as usual, but he’s not sick and just wants to play baseball,” he said.
When we asked Choi Jun-yong, ‘Isn’t it a waste to give up fastballs of around 150 km/h and turn into a hitter?’ he answered
I could have done better if I wasn’t in pain
but a pitcher has to use his shoulder every day, and he can’t do it if it hurts.”
Throughout the interview, Choi Jun-yong’s expression seemed full of smiles.
When a reporter said, ‘You look happy because of the other person’s story,
he smiled brightly and said, “It’s the same as what you see,” and added, “I’m happiest because I can do it without feeling any pain.
He expressed his wish, “I want to become a player who doesn’t get sick, is happy, and works hard.”