Pittsburgh Pirates' Bae Ji-hwan (26) is staging a show of force to survive in Major League Baseball.
On the 1st (Korean time), Bae Ji-hwan entered as a substitute in the 2025 Major League exhibition game against the Tampa Bay RAY held at LeCom Park in Bradenton, Florida, USA, and added a hit.
Pittsburgh started Tommy Pham (left fielder), Bryan Reynolds (right fielder), Andrew McCutchen (designated hitter), Andy Rodriguez (catcher), Ke'Bryan Hayes (third baseman), Nick Gonzales (second baseman), Isaiah Kiner-Falefa (shortstop), Jared Triolo (first baseman), and Bryce Johnson (center fielder) on that day. The starting pitcher was Mitch Keller. Bae was excluded from the starting lineup.
Bae Ji-hwan stepped onto the field as a left fielder in the top of the 6th inning. He then came to bat as the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the 6th. Facing Manuel Rodriguez, Bae showcased a persistent battle lasting 8 pitches and hit a 98.5 mph four-seam fastball on the 8th pitch, resulting in a single to left field. Rodriguez is a bullpen pitcher who recorded 3 wins, 4 losses, 2 saves, 11 holds, and an earned run average of 2.15 over 40 games, totaling 37⅔ innings last year.
Although it was not a well-hit ball, it continued his exhibition game hitting streak as a lucky single. However, he had to return to the dugout after Joshua Palacios' double play as a second baseman. After that, Bae's turn to bat did not come again.
As a result, Bae Ji-hwan continued his impressive hitting streak with 3 hits in 5 at-bats, 1 run scored, a batting average of .600, and an OPS of 1.400 during the exhibition games.
Bae also proved his presence on defense. In the top of the 8th inning against Tampa Bay, with 2 outs, Jarren Duran reached base on a walk, and when Matthew Etzel hit a single, Bae made a precise throw to catch Duran, who was heading from first to third, adding another assist.
For Bae Ji-hwan, this year is a time for survival and proof. In 2023, he played 111 games, recorded a batting average of .231 (334 at-bats, 77 hits), 2 home runs, 32 RBIs, and an OPS of .607, firmly stepping into the major leagues.
However, he suffered a hip injury during last year's exhibition games, preventing him from making the Opening Day roster in the Major League. He then swung his bat fiercely in Triple-A and was called up to the Major League at the end of May. However, he returned to the injured list due to a wrist injury and, having had little impact, went back to Triple-A at the end of August.
Last year, he recorded a poor performance in the Major League with a batting average of .189 (74 at-bats, 14 hits), no home runs, and 6 RBIs, contributing to 11 runs scored. Meanwhile, he posted an impeccable record in Triple-A, playing 66 games with a batting average of .341 (246 at-bats, 84 hits), 7 home runs, 41 RBIs, 49 runs scored, 14 stolen bases, and an OPS of .937.
While the years accumulate, he has yet to establish himself in the Major League. Given the circumstances in Pittsburgh, which has many prospects, if Bae Ji-hwan does not show significant performance, there is a possibility that he could be excluded from the roster. This 2025 exhibition season is crucial for Bae Ji-hwan.
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