‘Genius hitter’ Kim Beom-seok, ‘Genius catcher’ project begins in earnest
“Isn’t it true that I can only use 60% of my 100% ability right now? “That’s why I become the villain.”
LG Twins coach Yeom Kyung-yeop had higher expectations for ‘genius hitter’ Kim Beom-seok (20) than anyone else. Ahead of this season, a plan was set to ensure that Kim Beom-seok is utilized in the first team and that he can develop into a big gun catcher. However, Kim Beom-seok kicked the opportunity away. He failed to take care of his body during the off-season and eventually suffered an oblique muscle injury in spring training and was eliminated.
However, coach Yeom Kyung-yeop did not give up hope for Kim Beom-seok. Although he was eliminated in the opening round, he was called up to the first team on April 12 and began training Kim Beom-seok again.
When general manager Cha Myeong-seok nominated Kim Beom-seok in the 2023 rookie draft, he said, “The proper noun Kim Beom-seok will become synonymous with Korean baseball.” That is why the expectations of the club and the field are extraordinary. Although he still has questions about weight management, he cannot hide his natural talent.
He was given the occasional opportunity as a pinch hitter and became a problem solver, but now he is increasingly in the starting lineup as a first baseman or designated hitter. With Kim Beom-seok playing his role at crucial moments, the weight of the batting lineup is changing. Currently, Kim Beom-seok is recording a batting average of .362, 21 hits in 58 at-bats, 3 home runs, 16 RBI, and an OPS of 1.000 in 20 games.
However, ultimately, the position that Kim Beom-seok should occupy is catcher. When coach Yeom Kyeong-yeop pushed Kim Beom-seok harshly and dropped out of the spring training camp, he said, “It means I missed a huge opportunity. The club, manager, and coaches all offered to help him grow, but he kicked the opportunity himself. Regretful. The reason he said, “Now the opportunity will go to other players,” was unusually harsh was because he hoped that Kim Beom-seok would establish himself as a catcher.
At the time, the injury occurred due to overweight issues, and Kim Beom-seok's weight management is still a hot topic for the club. However, director Yeom Kyeong-yeop does not plan to postpone Kim Beom-seok's Anbangmaim project any longer. He is scheduled to start as a catcher in the game against the Lotte Giants to be held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 12th. Kim Beom-seok will wear the starting catcher's mask for the first time since his debut. He will work with Kang Hyo-jong in the starting battery.
Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop said, “We plan to consistently send him out as a catcher once a week. He works with Kang Hyo-jong, but if mixing balls is difficult anyway, he can sign from the bench. He just needs to be good at catching and trying to check how well he blocks and throws. You have to check it to find out when it will be completely completed. “If we don’t send them out, we won’t be able to check them and we won’t be able to find improvement points,” he explained. “We will go through a phase where we will send them out to games once a week, train them to improve their shortcomings, and then send them out again to see how much they have improved.”
If this build-up goes smoothly, Kim Beom-seok will now become the team's second catcher. Manager Yeom said, “If Kim Beom-seok sits as the second catcher, the batting line will be much better, and even if (Park) Dong-won rests, there will not be a big gap. “I think it can be seen as an attempt to strengthen our entry and depth next year,” he said. “It will definitely happen next year.” If this becomes possible in the second half of this season, our team will be able to become stronger and cards will be created. He said, “By giving Park Dong-won a break, we will have depth that will eliminate holes.”
If Kim Beom-seok had not been injured, this project would have started as soon as the opening ceremony. That's why Director Yeom is disappointed. Kim Beom-seok is currently undergoing rigorous catcher training with coach Kyung-wan Park, a former legendary catcher. Everyone hopes that he can quietly overcome this process and demonstrate his abilities and talents as a catcher. Weight management is essential for demonstrating talent.
Director Yeom Kyeong-yeop said, “I did as much as I could. Now it's up to you. “He sometimes passes by and says, ‘Stop eating,’” he said, laughing, but added, “If you look at first base, he is a player with excellent athletic sense. Even with a body like that, he has quick agility. That's why it would be much better if he lost weight. Out of 100% of his ability, he can only produce 60% of it because of his age. That's why he tells me to lose weight and it's a shame. He said, “You have to do it yourself.”
He said that if he were to play catcher in his current physical condition, he would have no choice but to live with injuries to his knees, ankles, etc. Director Yeom Kyung-yeop said, “I speak with the same heart as his father. You won’t be playing baseball with me for a long time, right? “But for a team, a player is an asset and is eternal,” he said. “I’m not saying this because I hate him. He said emphatically, “He is becoming a villain and saying bitter things in order to do well for himself.”
Can a ‘genius hitter’ truly establish himself as a ‘genius catcher’? You can check it out in the game on the 12th.
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