“You have to fail once.”
After being called up to the first team, he batted 4-for-6. He’s been hitting the ball out of the park, helping the team win 10 straight games. But his manager spoke of “failure.
Park Jun-young has been the hottest hitter for the Doosan Bears recently. In five games since his call-up to the first team, he has seven hits in 15 at-bats with one home run and eight RBIs. Of those seven hits, only one has been for extra bases. He has come up big at key moments to help the team extend its winning streak. On the 21st, when Doosan won its 10th game in a row for the first time in five years and one month, Park hit a three-run homer to seal the win against KIA in Gwangju.
When he entered the professional ranks, Park was on the mound, not at the plate. Joining the NC Dinos with the first pick in the 2016 First-Year Player Draft, Park went 1-3 with a 6.95 ERA in 32 games and 33⅔ innings pitched in his first season. The following year, he switched to pitching and was drafted as an active duty soldier, but an elbow injury forced him to switch to social service and complete his military service.
After returning to the NC ahead of the 2020 season, Park began to get opportunities as a hitter, but his batting average didn’t exceed the low double digits until last year, and he had to settle for a backup role. His baseball life changed when NC acquired free agent catcher Park Se-hyuk and received a compensation player designation from Doosan.
Appearing in the Futures (second division) league since mid-May, Park slowly found his groove, switching between shortstop and third base. He proved he was ready with a 3-for-3 performance in 10 games for the Futures before being called up to the first division, and he looks to continue that trend. In addition to his performance in the field, he is also showing his quick feet and sensitivity. Park’s form is reminiscent of Doosan’s trademark ‘watered-down baseball’.
Lee said of Park, “I remember him as a pitcher when I retired from active duty. I didn’t see much of him after he turned into a beast (when he was a broadcast commentator). I heard that he was an ‘up-and-comer’,” he said. “When I saw him during his injury rehabilitation after joining the compensatory team, my first impression was that his body looked very good,” he said. “I even heard from Lee Jung-hoon, the manager of the Futures (second team), that he was a very good player. He’s the real deal’. I had some weaknesses, but I think I made up for them by playing the Futures game.” She also said, “Without experience, she is weaker against changeups than fastballs, but she responded well to them in the last SSG game. He also showed stability in defence. It’s the middle of the season, but I think (Park) will be very helpful.”메이저사이트
“It’s good that he’s gaining confidence,” Lee said, “but he needs to fail once,” he added. He pointed out, “(Park) is showing good form in every game right now, but I think it’s best to judge him after he makes a mistake in a clutch situation or strikes out in a chance situation.” “I don’t think he’ll be demoralised by one failure, but he’s a human being and we need to see how he responds in important situations. If that goes well, he will be a very good player.”
It’s certainly noteworthy to have good talent and prove it in practice. But the national batting coach, who has been through the wringer, is looking beyond that.