Choi Joo-hwan is now a Kiwoom Heroes man instead of an SSG Landers player. He found a new home through the revived Secondary Draft late last year.
Interest was high. The first pick of the first round. No. 1 overall.
But it wasn’t all sunshine and roses. It meant SSG didn’t include him on the 35-man protected list. After signing a four-year, $4.2 billion free agent contract ahead of the 2021 season, it was a blow to his ego to be labeled a non-starter. It wasn’t just about talent. There were many reasons, including the salary cap and generational change.
Choi, who arrived at Incheon International Airport on June 6 after his first spring camp with his new team, Kiwoom, said, “There was nothing to be proud of because I came through the second round draft. On the contrary, I was told that I was removed from the protected list, 바카라사이트 and I would have been more shocked if I hadn’t been named,” Choi said, adding that the move to Kiwoom was a new opportunity for him.
Choi commented on his first training camp with his new team:
“The time went by really fast. I finished the training in good shape and in a good atmosphere. The atmosphere was definitely different from my previous teams, Doosan Bears, SSG, and Kiwoom. Kiwoom’s culture suited me well. I had a satisfying time in many ways, as I was able to work hard when training and rest when taking care of my body.”
For Choi, this season is important. He needs to make his mark on his new team, and if he finishes this season well, he will be eligible for a second free agency. “I don’t care about the results until the exhibition games, and I will prepare for the regular season by taking the process step by step. I’ve been working hard so far. I feel like it will go well.”
The shift elimination is a system change that favors Choi, a left-handed hitter who can generate hard pull. “A lot of times, it can raise your batting average by a couple of pennies. Last year, I think I caught about 30 pitches that would have been hits. If the shortstop doesn’t have to go to the right side of second base, there’s a lot of room for lefties to drive the ball.”
Finally, Choi brought up the secondary draft again.
“I don’t think it’s supposed to be known whether you’re on the protected list or not, but it was known before the second draft. was lucky to be the first pick. I can only imagine how traumatizing it would be for a player to know they were left off and not get picked by another team, and I think that should be protected.” “It was heartbreaking to see the players on the sidelines when they found out they were off the protected list and didn’t get drafted by another team. 사설 토토사이트 I think it would have been a different kind of heartbreak than the heartbreak of not being drafted as a senior in high school,” he said, once again emphasizing the need to maintain a healthy system.