Could it be that the Pittsburgh Pirates do not permit Bae Ji-hwan to take the fourth outfielder spot?
Bae Ji-hwan missed the major league spring training game against the Boston Red Sox held on the 22nd (Korea time) at JetBlue Park in Fort Myers, Florida. On that day, Bae Ji-hwan was neither in the starting lineup nor came in as a substitute.
Bae Ji-hwan had an impressive performance in the game against the Tampa Bay RAYS on the 20th, starting as the No. 1 center fielder and achieving 2 hits in 3 at-bats, 1 RBI, 1 run scored, and 1 walk. Both hits were doubles.
After taking a day off, on the 22nd against Boston, Bae Ji-hwan was not only absent from the starting lineup but also did not come in as a substitute.
Currently, Bae Ji-hwan is the player showing the hottest batting form in spring training. He has achieved a batting average of .444 over 17 games (16 hits in 36 at-bats), with 1 home run, 4 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 3 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.168. He ranks first in batting average among players from Pittsburgh who have played in more than 10 games and is currently leading in hits.
Despite Bae Ji-hwan swinging the bat so well, he continues to vie for a spot on the opening roster. He has not fully secured a position. The starting spots are confirmed. Veteran Tommy Pham is in left field, O'Neil Cruz, who transitioned from shortstop to outfield last year, is in center field, and Brian Reynolds, who signed a long-term contract worth $107 million for 8 years in 2023, is in right field.
The position Bae Ji-hwan realistically aims for is the fourth outfielder spot. There is competition for that spot. However, locally there are claims that this spot is not even Bae Ji-hwan's. According to MLB.com, in their prediction for the opening roster, bench players Adam Frazier, Jared Triolo, and Jack Suwinski are expected to fill spots. Frazier is a utility player for the infield and outfield, while Triolo is an infielder. Suwinski, a direct competitor, is expected to have an edge over Bae Ji-hwan in the competition.
On the 22nd, the day Bae Ji-hwan was absent, Suwinski also started as the No. 8 center fielder against Boston, recording 1 hit in 3 at-bats and 1 strikeout. Although Suwinski does not match Bae Ji-hwan's performance, he has a batting average of .368 (14 hits in 38 at-bats), with 1 home run, 9 RBIs, 4 runs scored, and an OPS of .998. He also has a record of 26 home runs in 2023, making him the top home run hitter on the team. He has a total of 54 career home runs.
The Pittsburgh local media outlet 'Pittsburgh Baseball Now' noted, 'Suwinski has a more definite slugging ability than Bae Ji-hwan' and predicted, 'They will choose Suwinski, who has greater potential at the plate.' However, they added, 'Considering the results Bae Ji-hwan has shown in spring training, it would not be an easy decision to send him to the minor leagues.'
'Tribune-Review', a local media in Pittsburgh, remarked, 'Deciding who will take the fourth outfielder spot is a more significant issue,' saying, 'Bae Ji-hwan has been one of the most impressive players in this spring training. He recorded 3 steals using his quick speed and frequently showed plays that turned singles into extra-base hits.' They also explained, 'Suwinski did not fall far behind.'
However, it is stated that 'there is no need to place great significance on spring training results. The fourth outfielder is not a position that plays every day,' emphasizing that the value players can provide to the team is more important. It was mentioned that 'Bae Ji-hwan shows more stability as a center fielder than as a corner outfielder. His quick speed, which can be utilized for bunting and as a pinch runner, is undoubtedly a strong point. Joshua Palacios and Suwinski can cover all outfield positions and have experience showing dramatic plays late in games.' The media hinted that predicting who will take the edge is a difficult forecast.
Still, Bae Ji-hwan is experiencing a lack of recognition despite ranking first in the team for batting average and hits in spring training. It is true that he cannot avoid competition, but it is regrettable to overlook his current hitting form. Bae Ji-hwan is having a hotter spring than anyone else, yet he is engaged in a daily nerve-wracking competition for survival in the major leagues.
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