SSG Landers veteran outfielder Choo Shin-soo (41) is ahead of the 3rd season of the KBO League. It feels better than the previous two seasons. I also got some free time.
Choo Shin-soo had a normal camp this year for the first time. He built his body step by step from start to finish. Is that why? During his exhibition games, his batting feel was good, and his throwing condition was good in the outfield defense.
From the 1st Camp in Florida, USA to the 2nd Camp in Okinawa, Japan, and the Incheon SSG Landers Field Ground construction, I was quite tired from traveling throughout the exhibition game, but I was well prepared.
He is a success just by completing the camp from start to finish without any pain. Choo Shin-soo has not been able to complete the camp for the past two years. It was late because it was his first year in the KBO League, and his second season came at the end of camp while recovering from elbow surgery.
He needed time to adjust to the KBO league, and his body wasn’t built right as he didn’t spend the entire camp. There were many things he was not familiar with.
He is a veteran who has gone through all kinds of hardships from his minor league days to his 16 major league seasons, but the new environment is unfamiliar to anyone. But this year is different. Choo Shin-soo himself feels that he has more time to spare.
He said, “There is definitely more leeway than his last two seasons. In the meantime, he had no choice but to push through even if he was not in good shape or condition to match the season. But this year, I paid more attention to my physical condition. When he needed maintenance, he could step back and focus on taking care of his body,” he said.
Choo Shin-soo continued, “I was able to prepare for the season without having to urgently improve my condition, and I was able to make my arms ready for the game according to the season. Now that I am not young, I think it will be difficult to push if time is running out.”
Although it is only an exhibition game, the result shows how Shin-soo Choo is in condition. In 10 games, he posted a batting average of 3.8 with 5 runs, 1 home run and 2 RBI. He picked 7 walks.
During the exhibition game in 2022, he had a batting average of 1.66 and 7. In 2021, he had a batting average of 2.27 and 8. He has noticeably improved his batting average. He made good hitting conditions early on. Of course, the regular season is different, and it is not easy to consistently maintain a good hitting feel, but compared to the past two years, this is a positive aspect.
Director Kim Won-hyung said, “I made a good body. He was already made up from the first day of camp. So it seems to be going well so far.” 토토사이트
Shin-soo Choo said, “There are hits that hit well, but he doesn’t care too much because there were also hits on the course. He said carefully that he is focusing on the feeling at the plate rather than the performance he sees, and there are parts he wants to change.”
Outfielder Ha Jae-hoon, who gathered expectations, was injured during the camp. It’s a pity for SSG. Choo Shin-soo’s responsibility grew even bigger. “I think this is baseball. It is difficult to prepare and finish the season as we planned,” he stressed.
Choo Shin-soo continued, “If a key player is missing, it is negative for both the team and the individual, but someone else has to replace it. It will be a misfortune for some, but it will be an opportunity for others, and the players are well aware of it. It seems that everyone is preparing hard so as not to miss the opportunity when it comes.”
Choo Shin-soo will play as a top hitter again this year. Also, as he is in good physical condition, he will play a lot of outfield (right field) defense. He said, “It is the same mindset as the last two years. He thinks it’s up to me and (Kim) Kang-min to pull from the front and push from behind. He silently tries to set a good example for the players.”