Chapter 9
Chapter 9
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Translator: Silver Dragon
Chapter: 9
Chapter Title: The Answer Lies in the Bat
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Any position, a big power hitter is precious. That's why, even if their batting average drops or they can't field worth a damn, if they've got that slugger potential, teams hold off on releasing them.
With a power hitter, they'll train them for other positions just to get them in the lineup, and if defense is truly hopeless, they'll slot them in as a designated hitter.
That's why it's true that power-hitting catchers are rare gems. Plenty of catchers get trained up as first or third basemen and switch positions for that very reason.
This goes for pitchers too. A guy who can fire fastballs—even if his control's shaky—won't get cut.
A pitcher with velocity. A hitter with slugger talent. These are resources you never let go.
In that sense, Choi Seung-taek absolutely had to change his hitting style. To survive long-term in the pros and draw even more attention, he needed to become a power hitter.
'I busted my ass for four pro years building defense, but still got rated below Ha Seung-yoon. Makes sense why.'
Baseball has a dilemma when it comes to deploying players.
Fastball pitchers versus control artists. Managers have no choice but to go with the reliable control guy, but the front office wants to develop the velocity arm.
Because that fastballer has jackpot potential. They never cut him, invest years fixing his command, and won't trade him away.
Same with hitters.
A .100 hitter who's a monster slugger versus a steady .280 guy. Managers pick the latter every time, but you can't ditch the former either.
The steady hitter gets dumped if his average tanks, but the slugger? That one homer keeps him around.
Yet if the front office sees slugger promise, they won't give up. If Choi Seung-taek had been a power guy back then, the Sea Gulls never would've pushed retirement.
Choi Seung-taek recalled some standout hitters from memory.
The most memorable was James of the New York Yankees, whom he'd seen while studying in the States.
A home run machine hailed as the best hitter. Choi had been mesmerized watching him crush balls off major league pitchers touching 100 mph.
Studying that player, Choi figured out why they swing like that in America—and why he'd failed.
And he needed hitting that could handle guys like Go Tae-san with their heat.
'Then let's go with James's form.'
'Huh? What the hell? Register?'
Right. James hadn't debuted in the majors yet.
'Damn... Plan B it is.'
Choi Seung-taek recalled another hitter: Nelson of the LA Angels, the guy who had it all.
'Sync Rate?'
Choi Seung-taek pulled up major league videos on Park Ga-young's phone.
Tons of footage from his 2011 debut.
Morning classes ended right then.
'Time to test it out.'
Choi Seung-taek handed the phone back to Park Ga-young and bolted for the dorm. He couldn't wait to drill the new swing.
"You used it well tod... Ah... No borrowing tomorrow."
Park Ga-young had wanted to chat a bit, but he'd just dropped the phone and run, leaving her a touch bummed.
"Spot-on choice."
Kim Min-jae inwardly cheered—fresh ammo to tease Choi Seung-taek.
Choi changed into his uniform lightning-fast and hit the indoor practice field first.
With a new form locked in, his body buzzed with anticipation.
A ghostly Mitchell Nelson appeared before the T-ball Choi was about to hit.
Whoosh!
Nelson unleashed a gorgeous swing into the T-ball.
'Got it.'
Choi stepped up to the T-ball.
Crack!
'Proficiency?'
'Practice is the answer, huh? Yeah, let's do this.'
Choi reset the T-ball.
Crack!
Choi Seung-taek still had a long way to go.
In a pro team's meeting room, the discussion was heated. Poor team performance had cast a gloom over the room.
"Another lost season. Morale's in the toilet. Where do we need reinforcements? Second round draft's coming up soon. Got picks lined up?"
The GM at the head table spoke, and the scouting director stood.
"Strategy analysis team's calling for battery upgrades."
"We traded for a catcher this time. He's doing fine—why?"
"Our original starter's injury-prone... We need more depth."
"Sheesh..."
The scouting director pulled up slides.
"So we're contacting Cha I-su from Gwangju Phoenix—he's FA-eligible. And we'll target a strong catcher in round two."
"Two at once?"
"Considering the starter's injuries and the trade guy's age, we need two impact guys ready to go."
"Any rookie catchers in mind?"
The scouting director advanced the slide.
"Top high school catcher right now: Ha Seung-yoon from Buma High School."
"Heard of him. Paired with Go Tae-san, who's MLB-bound. Solid average too. Offensive catcher—big help."
"Yes, but not quite immediate impact. Needs watching."
"Fair. Can't slot a rookie catcher straight into the bigs. Anyone plug-and-play?"
Rookies weren't ready-made, so the GM grumbled. But the scouting director flipped slides again.
"There is. Choi Seung-taek from Suseok High School."
"What? Really?"
The GM was stunned.
"Yes. We scouted him hard in the Blue Dragon Cup quarters. Park Wan-gyu of the Cranes' second team mentioned him too—buzz everywhere."
"What's his deal? Hitting looks weak. Defensive type?"
"Yes, defensive catcher. After Park's comments, we had analysis run it."
"Results?"
The scouting director played Choi's Blue Dragon Cup quarterfinal footage.
"Got solid intel. Watch: Kang Tae-pung's control is spotty."
"Got it."
"But Choi frames deliberately, snags half-balls as strikes. Never turns strikes into balls."
"Basics are there, huh?"
"Exactly. Worth a third-rounder already. And check the arm and footwork."
Next clip: Choi gunning a runner.
"First one's iffy. Outside pitch, he picks a breaking ball over fastball for the steal attempt. Catch was late, but pop time's 1.98—excellent."
Then the second steal attempt.
"Second time, prediction nailed, pitch-out thrown—pop time 1.85."
"Impressive."
The GM looked intrigued.
"Analysis says he'd hold his own in the bigs defensively right away."
"Hidden gem."
"Still risky. Wasn't this good before—lit up only against Buma."
"Hm. Approach cautiously then. Show interest, leave the door open—no firm promises."
"Got it. One of our guys went to Suseok, knows their coach. We'll go through him."
"Perfect. Any games left for him?"
"President's Cup."
"Watch him there, then decide."
"Yes, sir."
"Pitchers?"
Next slide.
"A-level arms all went first round. We'll chase FA."
"Which?"
"Park Hyeok, Daegu Eagles reliever."
"Park Hyeok? Confident?"
"Yes. Tentative talks underway."
The nameless GM pondered.
"Hm... Proceed."