After an exchange game with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese professional baseball team at Nishizaki Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on Saturday, Kim said, “The pitchers showed better ball control than I thought, and the fielders were okay. I am satisfied with the situation.”
Lotte lost 3-7 in the first round and 1-8 in the second round in two exchange matches with Chiba Lotte, but successfully checked the player’s condition through actual matches.
The outline of the main fielders was almost revealed.
The main catcher Yoo Kang-nam will guard the home turf, and Jeon Joon-woo, who has declared his stay as a free agent, will fill the designated hitter position.
Left fielder Kim Min-seok, center fielder Victor Reyes, and right fielder Yoon Dong-hee are the main players in the outfield.
First baseman Na Seung-yeop, second baseman Kim Min-sung, shortstop Noh Jin-hyuk, and third baseman Han Dong-hee are expected to take charge of the infield.
Coach Kim said, “I think I’ll leave the first base to Na Seung-yeop. If Na Seung-yeop goes to third base, there is nowhere for Han Dong-hee to go. Han Dong-hee has strong shoulders, so he can throw strongly at third base. Na Seung-yeop is tall (190cm), so he feels comfortable when other fielders throw.”
The second base, which had the most worries, was given priority to veteran transfer student Kim Min-sung.
“It could change little by little depending on the type of pitcher, but I’m thinking of throwing Kim Min-sung first,” Kim said. “Ko Seung-min is also hitting very well and is good at defending second base. He can also play in the outfield. It is very valuable.”
The mound was also outlined to some extent.
Charlie Barnes and Aaron Wilkerson are in charge of foreign one-two punches, while Park Se-woong and Na Kyun-an are firmly holding out with domestic starters one-two punches.
The remaining five starting positions are Han Hyun-hee, Lee In-bok, and Kim Jin-wook.
The bullpen must-win group is Koo Seung-min, Choi Jun-yong, Park Jin-hyung, and Kim Sang-soo, and Kim Won-joong finishes.
Manager Kim said, “The pitchers are almost checked. Overall, they have good pace. I raised my pace more than I thought, but the seniors said, ‘It’s better to raise it first and control it.'”
After completing an exchange match with Chiba Lotte, Lotte will play a total of five practice games with KBO League clubs, starting with the Samsung Lions (27th), KIA Tigers (28th), KT Wiz (March 1st), Hanwha Eagles (March 2nd), and KIA (March 3rd).
Lotte’s return date is the 5th of next month.
Coach Kim said, “The batting order has also been roughly decided, but we will use several players to check in the game with domestic clubs,” adding, “Now what’s left is to decide the first team entry for the opening game.”
BY: 스포츠토토