“Elimination of the national team? From what I can see, it seems right.”
This is what SSG’Baby Beast’ Choi Ji-hoon (26) said about not being selected for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) team. he said coolly. Instead, he harbors a bit of venom inside. After all, there is another stage called the Asian Games.
Choi Ji-hoon participated in all 144 games in the 2022 season and recorded a batting average of 0.304, 10 home runs, 61 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.789. His scoring range batting average was also high at 0.362. He showed off the best defense of the league’s top center fielder. Thanks to that, SSG also had the ‘Wire to Wire’ championship. SSG won the combined championship even in the Korean Series, and Choi Ji-hoon also played an active role.
It soon became the past. I took a short break and started working right away. Choi Ji-hoon said, “After the series, I took a little break and started exercising right away. Athletes do not exercise. He’s doing it mostly with weights. He’s lost some weight and needs to be replenished,” he laughs.
“I ran hard in 2022. There are a lot of regrets during the Korean series. I’m not the type to be nervous or nervous, but the Korean series are definitely different. I want to win again in 2023. I want to do better. This year is more important. Whether it’s one more hit or one more stolen base than last year, I prepare to do just one more. Even if the numbers increase little by little, it can be a successful year.”
We also talked about the national team. Choi Ji-hoon’s name was not on the recently announced 2023 WBC national team list. The outfield was too competitive. Choi Ji-hoon said, “I wasn’t selected, but when I think about it, I think it’s true that I wasn’t selected. He’s not in a position to go after a good season,” he said.
“Isn’t the WBC a tournament where experience is more important than anything else? A large number of star players from around the world participate. I thought that I still lacked the weight to wear the Taegeuk mark. (Park) Seonghan is more precious than me. I did well in 2021, and I did well in 2022, but it’s a pity.”
That’s a humble answer. He gave enough grades to be singled out. The international competition is not the end of this WBC. Right now, in September, there is the Hangzhou Asian Games. This one is coveted. With the one-year delay, it is likely that the selection criteria will also be raised one year at a time. Choi Ji-hoon, who is in his 4th year as a pro in 2023, is also applied. 메이저사이트
Choi Ji-hoon said, “I will work hard so that I can go to the WBC next time. And this year there is also the Asian Games. If the selection conditions for the Asian Games change, I think there will be a possibility for me,” he said. “I am worried that the tournament will not be held like last year. I hope it opens,” he laughed.