“Bogeun? I decided to live or die.”

After his professional debut, the modifier that followed Jung Bo-geun (23, Lotte) all the way was ‘defensive catcher’. He only had a batting average of 10% (0.175) in 206 first-team career games in four seasons until last year. This is the reason why he could hardly get a starting position despite his decent defense. Lotte, who had not been able to erase the troubles at home for several years, eventually recruited Yoo Kang-nam (4 years, 8 billion won) through an external free agent (FA) last winter. There is also Son Seong-bin, a promising player returning from military service in Sangmu (discharged in June). This is why expectations for Jung Bo-geun were not high ahead of this season.

He wouldn’t know the gaze toward him. He poured more sweat than anyone else from last year’s finish camp. Hitting coach Park Heung-sik hinted, “They decided to live or die.” The base itself was fine. His batting form and swing are not bad either. However, he was lacking in the part where he had a rhythm and put power on the batted ball. Coach Park said, “When I first saw (Jeong) Bo-geun, there was a tendency to hit mainly with the upper body. It lacked flexibility like a stick. He explained that he improved greatly by using his lower body such as pelvic rotation.”

The effect of small changes was clear. He hit a batting average of 0.426 (26 hits in 61 at-bats), 1 home run and 13 RBIs in 43 games until the 20th. Although there are not many specimens, they produce a large number of impressive scenes. In the game against NC in Busan on the 2nd, he hit a home run against Eric Peddy, the best pitcher in the league. He completed a three-hit game against Gocheok Kiwoom on the 20th, the previous game. He is completely different from the days before when he was busy following the ball. Jung Bo-geun said, “If I tried to hit all the balls until last year, now I’m concentrating on hitting the ball I want. I feel more comfortable at the plate,” he said.

Most of all, my confidence has grown. The expression itself is bright. The coaching staff also had a lot of questions. Even in the match, he turns the bat boldly. It is only natural that fans cheer for Jung Bo-geun, who made a turning point himself. Every time he steps into the plate, a tremendous roar resonates. Various nicknames such as ‘Buster Bogeun (Buster Poji + Jeong Bogeun)’, ‘Jeongwol Daebogeun’, and ‘Saengbogeun Bogeun’ have been created. Coach Park said, “It is a process of realizing one by one. He emphasized that if he stays like this, he will be able to grow bigger.”메이저사이트

The growth of information roots does not stay in the present. This is one aspect that reveals the future of Lotte. In the Lotte catchers, Yu Kang-nam is the center, Jeong Bo-geun and Son Seong-bin are showing their own colors. Due to team circumstances, Son Seong-bin was canceled from the first team entry ahead of the Gocheok Kiwoom match on the 20th, but he will be called up immediately when the extended entry is implemented. Synergy can be created through friendly competition. Lotte coach Larry Sutton raised his thumb, saying, “Having a strong center line is a great advantage for the team.”