“Just like Ha-sung Kim, I know there will be a learning curve.”
San Diego Padres A.J. Preller met with Korean reporters at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 17th and said as above. This means that Ko Woo-suk (26) needs time to adapt to the Major League like Kim Ha-sung (29) in the past. However, it is not known how long coach Mike Shildt will wait for Ko.
“I know that Ko pitched until November last year for the LG Twins and played baseball until late at the time. So he started preparing for the season a little later than other players. We want to get him right, too,” Preller said.
I think he needs time. “Ko Woo-suk had a great time in spring training. We also know there will be a learning curve just like Kim Ha-sung,” Preller said. “Obviously, Lee Jung-hoo (26, San Francisco Giants) is a very talented player, and I think he is going through an adaptation process.”
In addition, Preller said, “When Ko adjusts to the Major League, he will show the capabilities that KBO has shown. I will try to see it on a more consistent basis.” To sum up, it means that Ko’s performance is evaluated by considering some difficulties at this point.
Ko entered the Major League by signing a two-plus-one-year contract worth up to 9.4 million U.S. dollars. However, he lost one hold and posted an earned run average of 12.46 in five exhibition games. In a special match against the LG Twins on Sunday, he showed poor performance by allowing two hits (one homer) and two strikeouts and two runs in one inning. He only managed to recover from injury. He lost one hold and had an earned run average of 13.50 in six games.
There was a ball that was driven to the center, and there seemed to be a side where LG batters who knew Ko Woo-suk confidently hit Ko Woo-suk’s ball. In the case of Lee Jae-won’s two-run shot to the left, which was chased by one point in the bottom of the ninth inning, he pulled Ko Woo-suk’s 94.9-mile fastball into the middle. 고소득알바
The problem is that Ko has no veto power over the Minor League this year. He signed a Major League contract, but was guaranteed a 40-man entry, which could prevent him from joining the 26-man entry list. Both San Diego and LA Dodgers will announce the 26-man entry that will be applied to the two consecutive regular season opening games from June 20 to 21. Given Ko’s moves at exhibition games, it is hard to guarantee that he will join the 26-man entry.