Should Park Seok-min take responsibility for all 144 games?
Compared to the solid outfield, NC has question marks all over the infield. Other than second baseman Park Min-woo, who graduated from the National University, there is no main member with a clear average. As for the shortstop, Joo-Won Kim gets attention, but there are many variables at 1st and 3rd base. Last year, starting pitchers Nick Martini and Noh Jin-hyeok (Lotte) left the team side by side.
In addition to Noh Jin-hyeok, there is no Park Joon-young (Doosan) at third base. In the end, we have no choice but to focus on veteran Park Seok-min (38), who has suffered from penalties and minor injuries over the past two years for violating the Corona 19 quarantine rules. It is known that Park Seok-min is preparing for this season with the determination to make a comeback this year.
NC has no choice but to trust Park Seok-min’s experience. However, considering the age of 38 and the lack of athletic ability compared to previous years, Park Seok-min’s plan B is absolutely necessary. It is impossible for Park Seok-min to be responsible for 144 games alone, and there must be a player who can play 80 to 100 games.
Inside, Seo Ho-cheol is considered. After graduating from Dong-Eui University, he served in the military as a reserve soldier. A 27-year-old right-handed hitter. Last year, in 89 games, he had a batting average of 0.205, 2 homers, 14 RBIs, 26 runs, and an 스포츠토토 OPS of 0.542. He still doesn’t have much first team experience either, with only 91 matches. He’s about to explode, just by looking at his age, but it looks like he needs time to prepare.
So, the dispatch of Australian professional baseball to Geelong Korea could be a turning point or an important milestone in Seo Ho-cheol’s baseball life. However, it is not an impressive performance in Geelong Korea. In 20 games, 14 hits in 64 at-bats, a batting average of 0.219, 1 home run, 5 RBIs, 9 runs, an OPS of 0.583. He has to assume that he hasn’t quite caught on yet.
The fact that NC dispatched Seo Ho-cheol to Geelong Korea proves that expectations are high. NC desperately needs a clear card to threaten Park Seok-min and save his stamina. In many ways, Seo Ho-cheol’s sluggish performance can be uncomfortable for NC. Of course, as much as the process of refining his weapons and improving his competitiveness is more important than trusting 100% of the figures taken in the Australian league, he should take some more time and watch.
In addition, Do Tae-hoon, who recorded a batting average of 0.216, 2 homers, 13 RBIs and an OPS of 0.591 in 91 games last year, is also a candidate for third baseman. Right-handed left-handed infielder who is 3 years older than Seo Ho-cheol. Seo Ho-cheol and Do Tae-hoon faithfully support Park Seok-min, and furthermore, show the possibility of becoming a starter is the NC’s best scenario. NC has entered into a ‘forced’ reorganization of the infield.