Looking back on 2023, SSG Landers shortstop Park Sung-han (26) blamed himself, saying, “I was disappointed and reflected a lot.” He is getting help from his friend Kim Hye-sung (Kium Heroes) as he prepares for the 2024 season.
Park Sung-han, who debuted in 2017, has been playing as the main shortstop since 2021, the fifth year since joining the team (batting average of 0.302). He recorded a batting average of 0.298 with 56 RBIs and 12 steals in 140 games in 2022, and fiercely competed with Oh Ji-hwan (LG Twins) for the Golden Glove, shortstop.
However, excluding homers that increased from two to nine last year, most of them saw their batting average (0.266) and RBIs (47) decline. “I had the goal and expectation that I had in mind in 2023, but I failed to meet those expectations. I was disappointed in myself and reflected on myself,” Park said.
Park was selected as a member of the Hangzhou Asian Games team last year, but lost his starting shortstop position to his junior Kim Joo-won (NC Dinos) during the tournament. While Kim had a batting average of 0.143 (1 hit in seven at-bats) in four games, Kim took the starting shortstop position in the finals against Taiwan with two home runs. “I thought about my level again after I returned from the team. I felt I lacked a lot,” Park said.
Park’s conclusion is “effort.” “In 2022, I rested for about a month after winning the title (November 8) and started to slowly build up my body from early December. In 2023, I started exercising again a week after failing to qualify for the semi-playoff at the end of October. Not only did I start exercising quickly, but I also greatly increased my exercise intensity,” Park said.
Park is striving to supplement her batting performance. In the process, she sent an “SOS” to Kim Hye-sung. Kim Hye-sung has been awarded the .300 batting average-golden glove award for the past three consecutive years as an infielder with strong offense. Recently, he announced his advance to the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) through a posting system (closed competitive bidding) after the end of this season with the approval of Kiwoom’s team.
Kim Hye-sung could be a potential rival for Park as he hopes to return to shortstop this season. Park asked for help from her friend, who is a level above her, even though she is still in the same league. “Hye-sung is a player who is really good at hitting. We have a lot to learn from him,” Park said.
“It’s still hard to explain in detail, but I’m paying attention to moving my lower body when hitting and hitting the ball in the direction of my swing,” Park said. “I’m trying to change my habit that I couldn’t see well on the outside. I asked a lot of questions to Hyesung.” 월카지노
“I felt disappointed after finishing baseball last fall. I felt very embarrassed myself,” Park said, vowing to rebound by saying, “I trained faster because I thought it was not time to rest. I will do my best every day.”