He hit home runs against Japanese pitchers for two consecutive days. It is encouraging that he has cleared all of Japan's official baseballs, which are known for their extremely low rebound.

Noh Si-hwan (25), the slugger third baseman of the Hanwha Eagles, is fearlessly activating his big bat as the spring training begins. Focused on improving his condition at the first camp site in Melbourne, Australia, Noh Si-hwan enjoyed the taste of home runs in practice games against Japanese professional baseball teams in Okinawa, Japan, on the 22nd and 23rd.

He hit his first home run in the game against the Hanshin Tigers' second team on the 22nd. He decorated the game with a solo home run that he launched in the fourth inning, hitting a pitch from Hanshin right-handed starter Tuda Jun-ya down the outside. Then, on the 22nd, he connected in the seventh inning with a solo shot against Chiba Lotte Marines right-hander Futaki Kota.

Noh Si-hwan's consecutive home runs, cleared using the NPB official baseball, which does not fly well, add much significance. During the two days of practice games, Hanwha pitchers threw with KBO official baseballs, while Japanese pitchers used NPB official baseballs.

The NPB official baseball that Noh Si-hwan hit is colloquially known as 'the ball that doesn't fly.' The NPB office stated that the rebound coefficient of the official baseball did not exceed the established range, but the general consensus is that since 2023, the rebound has decreased as the distance traveled by batted balls has not corresponded to the velocity.

The number of home runs, which was 691 in the Central League and 613 in the Pacific League in 2022, decreased to 643 and 607 respectively in 2023, and then plummeted to 472 and 503 last year. It wasn't just a lack of home runs; there were only three players across both leagues hitting at a .300 batting average. The number of pitchers with an ERA below 1 was fewer (six) than the hitters with a .300 average, indicating a drastic decrease in offensive output.

It is surprising that Noh Si-hwan was able to clear the 'ball that doesn't fly,' which is difficult for even most Japanese hitters. He lost weight over the winter, but his power remains intact. Noh Si-hwan, who struggled with shoulder and hamstring injuries last year, entered spring camp after reducing his weight by 10 kg by minimizing rice and focusing his diet on meat and protein. He noted, 'As my body became lighter, I gained a lot of speed when batting.'

In 2023, Noh Si-hwan excelled in 131 games with a batting average of .298 (153 hits in 514 at-bats), hitting 31 home runs and driving in 101 runs with an OPS of .929, showcasing his potential. He ascended to the home run king and ranked second in the MVP voting; however, last year, he recorded a batting average of .272 (143 hits in 526 at-bats), 24 home runs, 89 RBIs, and an OPS of .810, showing a slight decline. Although his performance was solid, it was evaluated as somewhat disappointing due to his growing reputation.

He experienced various injuries and had difficulties adjusting to the ABS zone while encountering trials and tribulations. Meanwhile, Do-young Kim (KIA), who plays the same position at third base, has emerged impressively. He hit 38 home runs last year and claimed the MVP title. As competition at the same position intensified, Noh Si-hwan was indeed motivated.

He said, 'There are many good third basemen, and I hope to compete for the home run title with (Kim) Do-young this year,' and added, 'If everyone hits a lot of home runs, I think hitting 40 could give me a chance to be (the home run king).' The home run king last year was Matt Davidson (NC), who hit 46 home runs.

There are only two batters who recorded 40 home runs while belonging to Hanwha. In 1992, Jang Jong-hoon, during the company's former Binggrae days, hit 41 home runs to become the first player in the league to surpass that mark. In 1999, foreign batter Dan Rohn hit 45 home runs, leading Hanwha to a Korean Series championship. If Noh Si-hwan hits 40 home runs, Hanwha could aim for the postseason and beyond.

/waw@osen.co.kr

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