Infielder Bae Ji-hwan (25), who plays for the Major League Baseball (MLB) Pittsburgh Pirates, was selected as one of the candidates for the team's starting second baseman position in the 2024 season.

MLB's official website, MLB.com, predicted in an article on Pittsburgh's 2024 season outlook on the 4th (Korean time) that Bae Ji-hwan, Leeover Peguero, and Nick Gonzalez will compete for the starting second baseman position.

Bae Ji-hwan, who debuted in the big league in 2022 and played 10 games, participated in 111 games in the 2023 season and achieved a batting average of 0.231 (77 hits in 334 at-bats), 2 home runs, 32 RBIs, 24 stolen bases, 54 runs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.607.

Peguero, a 24-year-old prospect with a strong slugging ability, recorded a batting average of 0.237 (47 hits in 198 at-bats), 7 home runs, 26 RBIs, 21 runs, and an OPS of 0.654 in 59 games this year.

Gonzalez, who entered the big league stage for the first time this year, had a batting average of 0.209 (24 hits in 115 at-bats), 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, 12 runs, and an OPS of 0.616. 카지노사이트랭크

Among the three, no player stood out greatly in batting.

Bae Ji-hwan, who can play both center field and second base, increased his playing opportunities this year by using his quick feet, but his offensive ability left something to be desired. Bae Ji-hwan has the most experience.

MLB.com said, “Currently, Peguero is the most likely candidate for the starting second baseman position. Gonzalez has little experience in the big leagues. He said, “He hasn’t shown his abilities yet.”

He continued, “Bae Ji-hwan, who has quick feet, can get a chance not only as a second baseman but also as a shortstop. However, it is doubtful whether his offensive power will rise to the point where he can occupy a starting position in the big leagues by the start of the season.”

Right-handed pitcher Sim Jun-seok, who plays in Pittsburgh's minor league, is one of the team's highly anticipated prospects.

Shim Jun-seok, who graduated from Deoksu High School and signed with Pittsburgh and moved to the United States, appeared in 4 games in the Rookie League this year, his first year in the U.S., and pitched 8 innings, allowing 3 hits (1 home run) and 3 runs. His strikeouts were 13. However, the season ended early due to his injury.

Currently, Shim Jun-seok is ranked 14th in the Pittsburgh team in the prospect rankings calculated by MLB.com. 섯다