Chapter 5

Home Plate's Villain - Chapter 6 (6/363)

# 6

Veteran and Veteran (1)

1

Spring training starts with the pitchers and catchers. I was also called to the spring training catcher group as part of my contract terms.

Including me, four minor league catchers participated in the camp. Generally, a 25-man roster includes 12 pitchers and 2 catchers, but since two catchers can't handle all the pitchers' throws, more catchers are called compared to other positions.

Perhaps because of this, there was no significant issue with including a major league spring training participation clause in my contract. After all, they needed someone to catch the balls. It might also be because the team's catcher resources were in a mess. Without any promising catchers showing potential, it probably didn't matter who caught the balls, as long as they could catch.

The second catcher on the 25-man roster, John, is one of the most criticized players by Phillies fans and made a lot of mistakes at the end of last season. However, I don't think the team's performance suffered because of John. The Phillies were bound to decline anyway.

- "John is on our spring training roster? Can you believe it?"

- "He hasn't retired yet? Damn John."

- "I'd rather have my dog behind home plate than have that guy catch. John can't catch the ball, but my dog fetches it perfectly."

- "How can a guy who can't block properly still wear a Phillies uniform?"

Excluding the overly harsh expressions, this is what Phillies fans say about John on social media. After all, even if a player performs well all year, one mistake can lead to a lot of criticism.

According to some minor leaguers I've gotten close to in the camp, John, fed up with the extreme criticism from Phillies fans who followed him to Florida for spring training, requested a trade.

Because of this, it seems the catching instructors and coaching staff are actively looking for a new backup catcher.

"Ben! It's your turn!"

The brief rest is over. Now it's time for the minor league catchers' blocking training.

At the call of Fidel Santos, who just finished his blocking training, I put on my gear and got ready to go to the field.

I am usually the last in most training sessions.

Being a teenager who just graduated from high school in Korea, my expectations are probably low.

However, until the position players' assembly, I gradually moved up in the training order.

I knew the team's catching system was in disarray, but I didn't expect it to be this bad. This is a chance to make the opening day roster as a backup in the major leagues, but I can't even tell who might seize this opportunity.

Still, being called to the major league camp means I'm one of the top prospects among the team's catchers... but they all seem to have some flaws. I can't tell how good they are at hitting, but I assume it's not great. If they were good hitters, they might have been moved to another position.

The coaching staff wouldn't have called a green high school graduate like me third if they were any good.

2

The Philadelphia Phillies, the team I joined, are the first in professional sports history to reach 10,000 losses, earning the nickname "Manphillia." They are also known for their passionate (perhaps even toxic) fans, the "Phils."

The current starting catcher, Gavin Polcheksi, will turn 41 in a few days. He is the team's core and spiritual pillar, and one of my role models as a major league catcher. While his power has decreased with age, his game insight remains top-notch. Despite the decline in power, his punch is still strong. If a second baseman kneels during base running, he will stand up by delivering an uppercut to the second baseman's chin.

ㅇㅅㅇ: Hmm. Be careful.

ㅇㅅㅇ: A guy like you, who looks arrogant from the start, is likely to get a punch first.

ㅇㅅㅇ: Hehe. Get beaten by a bald guy and tremble in fear.

I decided to leave the guy in a box at the dorm when I go to the field. Gavin Polcheksi, with his fierce appearance and bulging veins, looks intimidating but is actually a kind person.

Of course, being kind means after training. During training, he yells like a toxic Phillies fan.

"Stupid kid! Trying to be a major league catcher when you can't even catch a ball? Why don't you play softball instead!"

"Hey, Santos. If I were you... Damn it, forget it. What's in your skull?"

"...Can anyone explain what that kid just did?"

Most of his comments are like this. It feels like he's reading the Phillies fans' social media.

But for me, it's different.

I had a longer and more illustrious career in the top division than Gavin Polcheksi. While there is a significant gap between the KBO and MLB, when I see other prospects who don't even deserve the name, I look like a major league catcher to me.

Befriending Polcheksi wasn't difficult. Maybe it's the result of my hard work.

By not missing the balls I needed to block, catching them steadily, and throwing to second base in 1.8 to 1.9 seconds, Polcheksi started to talk to me.

"Hey, kid. Can you handle a bat?"

I was a hitter in Korea who hit over 700 home runs, including more than 70 in a single season.

Of course, my skills are not fully developed yet, and this is America, not Korea, so the situation is different.

When I received that question, I was a bit at a loss for what to say.

"I can handle it. I'm not sure how well, but I think I can handle it pretty well. Maybe better than you think."

When I answered, Polcheksi laughed heartily and dragged me along.

"Scott! Throw some pitches to this kid! I want to see how well he can swing!"

3

Scott Kiesler.

In my previous life, he was a pitcher I faced in the WBC. A right-handed setup man who throws up to 98 miles per hour. He seemed a bit older and slower back then, but it's nice to see him here.

He was the pitcher who gave up a three-run home run to me in the final against the United States.

He's a good pitcher, but at that time, I hit a home run by pulling a high slider. Maybe that's why I'm more excited to see him.

"Throw it, don't just show it!"

"Hey, kid. Let's see if you can get a hit against a major leaguer!"

But the situation is different now.

Lack of skills and an incomplete body.

My body is well-built, but it doesn't remember the swing well. I know the hitting theory in my head, but my body can't fully execute it.

Scott Kiesler wound up and threw the ball.

Thwack!

The first pitch, a four-seam fastball, came in just outside the strike zone.

I swung quickly, but the swing speed was a bit slow. The ball went foul outside the third base line.

The pitcher's body isn't fully warmed up yet, so the pitch was around 93-94 miles per hour.

It felt a bit challenging to hit with a swing that extends out to the side of my ear.

I adjusted my hand position slightly lower. The launch angle will be a bit lower, but this stance improves swing speed. The second pitch followed.

Thwack!

This time, it was a solid hit. Not enough to clear the fence, but a line drive that would allow me to run to second base.

"Wow. Stronger than I thought."

"Whoosh!"

"The kid is hitting Scott!"

Scott, in response to the cheers and jeers from the players, made a gesture of cutting his throat and then got back into his windup.

Thwack!

...It's a slider.

I almost swung and missed, waiting for the four-seam timing, but I managed to push it with a wrist flick.

This is probably a single?

...A ball that goes between first and second base.

"What, kid. You can handle a bat pretty well?"

I thought he might be upset about being hit twice by an Asian high school graduate, but Scott whistled and praised me.

Hmm. Maybe he's a better person than I thought. He even gave up a home run to me in the WBC and made me the MVP of the tournament.

If someone gives so much, I should say thank you.

"Scott! If you don't throw harder, you might end up in the minors!"

Gavin Polcheksi, laughing and running his hand through his bald head, shouted.

Scott Kiesler, not to be outdone, shouted back.

"Gavin! You should retire now! This kid hits better than Gavin!"

Hmm.

He's definitely a good person.