Chapter 9

Chapter 8

Lee Jeong-woo reviewed the pitches he had seen so far.

Robin Dawson.

So far, his pitching style had been about setting up the batters.

He would throw low with curves and changeups.

Then, he would throw a high fastball to induce swings and ground balls.

Part of it was due to the batters swinging prematurely and not making solid contact.

Nonetheless, this approach had worked well in today's game.

'His ERA is low, but he doesn't strike out many batters. He tends to throw outside the strike zone, leading to a high walk rate. His WHIP is also high, and his BABIP isn't good either.'

In many ways, he's not the kind of pitcher sabermetricians would favor.

Even though his ERA is low, his other metrics aren't particularly impressive.

But watching him in person is a different story.

'He can guide ground balls right into the fielders' gloves.'

Not to areas where it's uncertain if the fielders can make the play.

His ability to send the ball to catchable directions is excellent.

He also induces double plays well.

It seems he's particularly effective today.

'If he knew how to direct ground balls even in his usual games, he wouldn't be in Single-A.'

Lee Jeong-woo, swinging in the on-deck circle, observed him closely.

He's a tough pitcher.

'But he's not an extraordinary pitcher in terms of pitch quality. His velocity is average. They said he throws in the mid-90s, but today it's been in the lower range.'

From the dugout, Dawson's pitches looked similar to those of the Braves' pitchers.

Especially his curveball is at a Single-A level.

His pitches are similar to or even a bit worse than what he has successfully countered.

Of course, baseball is unpredictable, so until he steps into the batter's box, he can't be sure of anything.

But it's not bad.

'And the catcher's calls are ordinary. It's definitely manageable.'

Just as Lee Jeong-woo thought this,

the fourth batter, Dols, drew a walk and reached base.

Having hit a ground ball in his previous at-bat, he seemed to have learned something.

He patiently waited out the high fastballs designed to induce swings and ground balls.

After observing the sharp drop of the curveball, he calmly advanced to first base.

There, he glanced at Lee Jeong-woo, as if asking him to do the same.

'His pride must be hurt. After all, he didn't hit well in three at-bats.'

Lee Jeong-woo nodded at him and stepped into the batter's box.

Before taking his stance,

he slightly bowed to the umpire.

It's not a habit.

Although he played in the KBO,

he was a pitcher, so he never developed the habit of bowing to the umpire.

It was just a practical move.

'Umpires are people too; they like being shown respect.'

While the role of umpires has diminished with technological advancements,

they still hold significant power.

If a slight nod can win their favor,

it's not a bad trade.

"You were a pitcher, right? I remember you hitting my pitches over the fence."

As he stepped into the batter's box,

the catcher inevitably started trash talking.

How did he remember that Lee Jeong-woo was a pitcher?

He pointed it out mockingly,

but Lee Jeong-woo chuckled.

"Well, you should go to the hospital. According to my memory, you never hit my pitches. You went 0-for-11 against me."

The catcher shut his mouth.

He had just made a general comment, and seeing that Lee Jeong-woo couldn't refute it, he probably didn't know much either.

After silencing the catcher once,

Lee Jeong-woo tried to focus on the pitcher.

But the catcher started talking again.

"Is that so? How bad must you have been to switch from a pitcher to a batter? Did you set the mound on fire or something?"

'As a pitcher, I didn't realize how annoying trash talk could be.'

He wasn't angry.

He's not the type to get worked up over casual remarks.

But the constant chatter was distracting.

Still, he tried to focus on the pitcher as much as possible.

Calmly, like reciting a sutra in a temple, Lee Jeong-woo cleared his mind and tried to predict the pitcher's next move.

What pitch will he throw?

'First pitches are usually four-seam fastballs. He occasionally throws a changeup, but it's usually a ball.'

The pitcher has already walked one batter,

so with a runner on base,

it's unlikely he'll throw a ball on the first pitch.

Unless he has a strong nerve,

he'll want to throw a strike.

But he'll probably aim a bit away to avoid a solid hit.

'So, low or inside pitches are unlikely. He'll probably throw outside. Should I swing?'

If the pitch is in the right spot, the result should be good.

He could likely get a solid hit.

But it didn't sit well with him.

'After being substituted as a designated hitter, I won't be immediately replaced by a pinch runner if I get on base. But opportunities are limited. This might be my last at-bat.'

Thinking about how batters were being easily retired,

this could be his first and last at-bat.

So, Lee Jeong-woo felt a bit greedy.

'Without correcting my batting stance, the team expects a power hitter.'

If they wanted a balanced hitter,

they would have corrected his extreme batting form.

But Lee Jeong-woo's form is still suited for a power hitter.

So, it's easier to give the team what they want.

'An unexpected performance would be nice, but let's do what they expect. I'll take the first pitch.'

Having made this decision,

he deliberately held the bat shorter and moved his body slightly inside the strike zone.

As if to say, "No matter what you throw, I'll get on base."

This can put pressure on the pitcher.

Being a pitcher himself, he knows.

A batter aiming for a home run is scary,

but even more terrifying is a batter who will do anything to get on base, even if it means getting hit.

There's no more annoying batter in a situation with runners on base.

Since the pitcher has no information on him, he's likely to make this judgment.

The catcher, noticing his intention, said,

"Hey, you're too far in. Are you trying to get hit?"

"Ah, really? As you know, I failed as a pitcher and switched to batting. My swing is a bit awkward. Please understand."

To the catcher's suggestion to back off, Lee Jeong-woo responded smoothly.

It's hard to say more when he admits his lack of skill.

What can you do about it?

If it were an experienced catcher, he might have tried to intimidate or use the umpire to make him back off,

but the catcher just grumbled in annoyance.

Feeling the pressure from Lee Jeong-woo's position,

the pitcher threw a high pitch outside.

The umpire called it a close strike,

but his intention was clear.

'Sure enough, he's feeling the pressure. I should ease up a bit.'

In the next at-bat, Lee Jeong-woo acted.

He deliberately missed the slightly low changeup with his short grip.

His swing looked like he was trying to make contact.

The pitcher's face relaxed.

He thinks Lee Jeong-woo is aiming to get on base but lacks the skill.

The catcher also chimed in.

"You need more practice, don't you? What's with that swing? You don't practice and-"

"Enough."

"Sure, sure."

The annoyed umpire intervened, silencing the catcher.

'Let's wait. The right timing will come.'

In the next pitch, Lee Jeong-woo waited.

He's probably trying to deceive me.

Seeing my desperate swings, he'll try to take advantage.

Lee Jeong-woo waited calmly,

while deliberately flinching to make it look like he was trying to swing.

Low, high.

After two balls, the count was 2-2.

Now it's time for the decisive pitch.

'After showing weakness against low pitches... throw the curveball.'

Lee Jeong-woo ordered the pitch as if placing an order in a restaurant.

This is the peak of this at-bat.

The setup was good,

but if the pitcher doesn't follow,

it's all for nothing.

If he throws a changeup or a four-seam fastball instead of a curveball, it will be difficult.

He remained composed but was sweating profusely.

Lee Jeong-woo held the bat longer,

and the pitcher threw the ball.

'It's coming.'

Lee Jeong-woo's eyes widened.

The pitch from the slightly dynamic three-quarters delivery.

The course is clear.

The speed is noticeable.

It's a curveball coming tight to the inside.

If left alone, it could be a borderline call by the umpire.

It could lead to a full count and pressure the pitcher.

But of course,

Lee Jeong-woo, who had been waiting for this,

had no intention of letting it go.

*Crack*

A powerful sound of the bat.

A few spectators, who had been watching the game indifferently, jumped up.

The same went for the players in the Braves' dugout.

Lee Jeong-woo gently placed the bat down

and ran the bases lightly, as if warming up before practice.

Cheers filled the air.

His teammates rushed out.

Dols, who had just crossed home plate, extended both hands to him.

After a light high-five, Lee Jeong-woo smiled faintly at the noisy stadium.

His debut was perfect.

The long string of zeros on the scoreboard finally came to an end.

xxxx

As Lee Jeong-woo entered the dugout after crossing home plate,

Paharo started talking enthusiastically.

"Look at this! It's not that I'm bad, it's just that Lee is good. He hit a home run as soon as he stepped into the game. It's natural for my pitches to be exploited."

"Yeah, you're good."

"Even he says so, hahaha."

'He's more excited than I am after hitting a home run.'

Still holding a grudge over the mini-game where he was thoroughly beaten,

Paharo was boasting, but the other pitchers felt similarly.

Specifically, those who had been thoroughly beaten by Lee Jeong-woo regained their confidence.

Seeing them encouraging each other, Lee Jeong-woo shook his head.

Scott approached and praised him.

"Great job! Really great!"

"Thanks to Coach."

"Yeah, but why the unusual movements before the home run?"

Scott, who found Lee Jeong-woo's behavior a bit strange, asked.

Lee Jeong-woo explained his thoughts.

"I did it on purpose. I thought he would throw a low curveball."

Scott had a peculiar expression.

He had thought of Lee Jeong-woo as an aggressive hitter who swings fearlessly.

But with this new weapon, his approach has changed.

'Being a former pitcher, he calmly deceived the pitcher. It might not work forever, but it's not bad against young pitchers.'

Scott nodded.

Regardless, this game improved Lee Jeong-woo's standing.

After switching from a pitcher to a batter,

he hit a home run in his first appearance as a pinch hitter.

The team and the organization would certainly view him favorably.

'I was worried he might fail.'

He was happy to teach him,

but he was honestly worried.

But with just his first appearance, the results were good.

Scott felt relieved.

xxxx

The shutout was broken,

and the opposing manager, thinking the pitcher was losing strength, replaced Robin Dawson.

The Braves also changed their starting pitcher in the eighth inning,

and with both teams bringing in relievers,

the game became stagnant again.

The batters resumed their battle to avoid being the first to strike out,

and the game ended 2-0 in favor of the Braves.

After the game, the players essentially recognized Lee Jeong-woo as the MVP.

Although there was no official selection due to the lack of broadcast in Single-A,

the players acknowledged him.

Despite it being his first at-bat,

they accepted him because they saw the results of his effort.

"Your swing was smooth. Were you looking for a specific pitch?"

"Just what I saw."

"True, our pitchers were thoroughly beaten too. The ones who throw curveballs and splitters."

"His talent is definitely impressive. He hit a home run after switching to batting for how long?"

The players approached, acting friendly or asking questions.

Although it might seem annoying for them to suddenly change their attitude,

Lee Jeong-woo accepted them.

"Just one pinch-hit, and you're boasting."

"Who can't hit a home run against a tired pitcher?"

"Next time you play, it might be more interesting. I saw you miss the changeup earlier."

"Leave him alone. You won't see him after next year. He's going to be a rookie, right?"

Of course, there were still some who looked at him unfavorably,

but Lee Jeong-woo tried not to think about them.

Most of them would be out of sight eventually, whether they moved up or he did.

So, he just enjoyed the moment.

From tomorrow, he would have to practice until his palms bled and his knees were bruised,

but for now, he just enjoyed it.

He patted himself on the back for the tough times he had been through.

'Good job, Lee Jeong-woo. Keep it up. For about twenty more years.'

Of course, with a bit of ambition.

xxxx

After the game,

Lee Jeong-woo returned to his accommodation and first called his mother.

He wanted to share the news.

The last time they spoke,

she was surprised and upset when he suddenly switched to batting.

If he could share some good news, it would ease her mind.

"I'm doing well, so don't worry. The team is treating me well. I even hit a home run, so they're treating me well, of course."

-Will you come to Korea this winter? Your father misses you a lot.

"Winter?"

Lee Jeong-woo hesitated for a moment.

He probably didn't visit Korea last year.

It was a busy period for rehabilitation, so he didn't have the time or the means to go.

So, his family hadn't seen him for two years.

And for Lee Jeong-woo, it had been even longer.

Feeling inferior and guilty, he had deliberately distanced himself from people around him.

Including the time before the regression, it had been several years since he last saw his family.

So, his heart wavered a bit.

'Spending a week to rest and see my family might not be bad-'

As he was thinking about his schedule,

his phone vibrated.

It was a message from his agent, Mark.

Mark's message about winter preparations steadied his wavering heart.

It seemed he would have to postpone seeing his family.

"I probably won't be able to go this time. I'll definitely make time next winter."

For now, personal time was a luxury he couldn't afford.