It is not an ordinary first appearance. Hanwha Eagles' new foreign hitter Estevan Florial (28) made a strong debut with a three-run home run in the first real game of the spring camp.
On the 22nd, Florial started as the third hitter and center fielder in a practice match against the Hanshin Tigers' second team at the Okinawa Kushi-kawa Stadium in Japan, leading Hanwha to an 8-4 comeback victory with a three-run home run in the fifth inning.
During the first spring camp in Melbourne, Australia, Florial focused on conditioning with veteran players and took to the field for his first game that day. He was retired in the first inning with a shallow pop fly to the shortstop against Hanshin's right-handed starter Junya Tsuda, but in his second at-bat in the third inning, he hit a sizable fly ball to center field. Although it was slightly off the mark due to a delayed timing, it flew farther than expected, heading over the center fielder's head.
Finally, in his third at-bat in the fifth inning, he exploded with a home run. He did not miss the third pitch, a fastball from right-hander Yuya Ishiguro, that came in high over the center. Florial's bat swung sharply, and with a crisp sound, the ball went over the right field fence as a line drive. It was a three-run home run that turned the score to 4-3.
Of course, it was just a practice game, and the opposing pitchers were young second-year players being developed in Hanshin's second team, so it may not hold significant meaning. However, the fact that Florial produced good hits without a single swing and miss right from his first real game, culminating in a three-run home run, is very promising for Hanwha.
Florial, a right-handed and left-handed hitting outfielder of Haitian nationality, debuted in Major League Baseball in 2020 as a former top prospect for the New York Yankees. However, he did not grow as expected, and even after being traded to the Cleveland Guardians last year, he spent a long time in the minor leagues.
Florial, who showcased his athleticism with his speed and strong arm since his days as a Yankees prospect, earned recognition for his defensive abilities and base running as a center fielder in Major League Baseball, but his batting did not take off. Over five seasons, he posted a batting average of .192 (41 hits in 213 at-bats) with 4 home runs, 22 RBIs, 26 walks, 82 strikeouts, and an OPS of .620, revealing his limitations. His hitting accuracy and plate discipline were critically lacking.
Ultimately, he moved to Korea this year to seek a career revival. After signing Florial for an aggregate of $850,000 last December, Hanwha noted that they have high expectations for his base running skills, having recorded 20 stolen bases for three consecutive years in Triple-A. They introduced him as having excellent ball judgment, wide defensive range, and a strong arm, strong points for a center fielder, stating, "Typically, foreign hitters are expected to produce at the plate, but Hanwha is focusing on his defensive abilities as a center fielder and his speed, which are lacking in the team. Expectations for his hitting have been somewhat lowered."
Florial, whom I met during the Australian camp, said, "Defense and base running are my strengths. I try to run hard and focus on my defense every moment," and regarding his hitting, he stated, "I'm not aiming for home runs or extra-base hits, but I try to make contact accurately and get on base."
However, in his first game that day, he showcased his power by sending two big hits to the outfield. With a total of 65 home runs over four seasons in Triple-A, Florial has demonstrated his power with 28 home runs in 2023. Even if his batting average is a bit low, if he can show that he has the ability to hit long distances, he could become the ideal foreign player Hanwha needs, adding value with his defense and base running. The three-run home run he showed from the first game is a very good sign for Hanwha.
Meanwhile, Hanwha achieved a comeback victory over Hanshin's second team, 8-4, marking their second win (one tie) in practice games during their camp, including the match against Australia held in Melbourne. Prior to Florial, No Si-hwan smashed a solo home run in the fourth inning by pushing Tsuda's outside pitch. Lee Won-seok, batting first, contributed with 2 hits, 1 walk, and 3 times on base in 4 at-bats. Kim Tae-yeon, who came in as a substitute, sealed the deal with a 2-run double to right-center in the eighth inning. Catchers Choi Jae-hun and Lee Jae-won each recorded a double as well.
On the mound, starting pitcher Ryan Weiss allowed 7 hits and 3 runs over 3 innings but struck out 3 batters without issuing a walk. Lee Tae-yang, who took the mound in a game for the first time in 7 months after undergoing surgery to remove a bone fragment from his elbow last July, gave up one solo home run in the fifth inning but struck out one batter while getting through one inning, signaling a healthy comeback. Five relief pitchers, including Kwon Min-gyu, Jo Dong-wook, Kim Seo-hyun, Kim Beom-soo, and Park Sang-won, also pitched well, each without allowing a run in their respective innings.