How many games will Yang Eui-ji, the catcher of the professional baseball team Doosan Bears, play this season? For now, Doosan battery coach Jo In-sung has given Yang Eui-ji the task of playing in all games until the end of April.
Yang Eui-ji returned to his former team after signing a maximum 15.2 billion won free agent contract for 4+2 years with Doosan ahead of the 2023 season. As a catcher, he appeared in 97 games and played 736⅔ innings in 2023, and reduced his appearances to 76 games and 608⅓ innings in 2024. Last year, Yang Eui-ji played as a designated hitter due to minor injuries, while backup catcher Kim Gi-yeon handled 84 games and 579 innings. He played more games.
During the exhibition game against Kiwoom held at Gocheok Sky Dome on the 16th, manager Lee Seung-yeop was asked, "What is Yang Eui-ji's plan for the number of games he will play as a catcher this year?" He said, "Coach Jo In-sung said that it would be all games until April. I want him to rest a bit..."
Coach Jo In-sung is ensuring that Yang Eui-ji maintains his best physical condition and prepares mentally so he can play a lot as a catcher until April.
Did Yang Eui-ji agree? The manager said, "It seems that the players have no strong objections. Since we consider the early part of the season important until April. Also, since Yang Eui-ji couldn't participate in many games last year, it seems he feels a sense of responsibility as the captain this year as a senior member of the team."
He added, "If Eui-ji can put on the catcher’s mask for even one game more, it will improve the team's atmosphere, and the chances of winning the game will increase. We are preparing so that he can wear the catcher’s mask in many games by managing his physical condition well."
Doosan can operate its best lineup only if Yang Eui-ji plays as a catcher. This will allow Kim Jae-hwan to primarily play as a designated hitter, and the outfield lineup to be managed with Kim Min-seok, Jung Soo-bin, and Cave.
If Yang Eui-ji plays as a designated hitter, Kim Jae-hwan and Kim Min-seok, acquired in an off-season trade with Lotte, will have to share one position in left field.
Kim Min-seok was appointed as the lead-off player after displaying a strong performance during the exhibition games. Kim Jae-hwan is placed in the second spot for a "strong No. 2". For Yang Eui-ji, as the catcher in the lineup to be consistent, the shocking table-setter plan between Kim Min-seok and Kim Jae-hwan can be successful. If Yang Eui-ji rests and backup Kim Gi-yeon wears the catcher’s mask, the offensive power will decrease.
Yang Eui-ji's personal record of 1003⅔ innings played, set 10 years ago in 2015, is his highest. He has not exceeded 800 innings since he played 861⅔ innings in 2018.
Yang Eui-ji, an eight-time winner of the catcher Golden Glove award, did not qualify for the candidate list last year as he did not play the required 720 innings to be considered. He performed exceptionally well with a batting average of .314, 135 hits, 17 home runs, and 94 RBIs, but since he was not a title holder and did not meet the defensive appearance criteria, he was not included.
This year, he must aim to play a minimum of 720 innings again to be considered as a candidate for the Golden Glove award as a catcher. To improve Doosan's standing, he needs to play over 800 innings as a catcher.
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