“It wasn’t even traded… It was unfamiliar.”
Outfielder Lim Byeong-wook (28), who returned to Kiwoom after completing his military service at Sangmu last year, is feeling the changes in the team over the past two years. His classmate Ha-seong Kim (San Diego) entered the US major league, and senior players such as Byeong-ho Park온라인바카라 (KT), Kun-chang Seo, Dong-won Park (above LG), Sang-soo Kim (Lotte), and Taek-geun Lee (retired) left the team.
Lim Byeong-wook, who has been in his 10th year this year, has also become a mid-level senior player on the team. Lim Byung-wook, who is holding Kiwoom’s spring camp in Scottsdale, Arizona, USA for the first time in three years, said, “I wasn’t traded, I was in the same team for a long time, and a lot has changed in the meantime. There were a lot of new players, and something was a little strange.”
He continued, “Previously, the older brothers silently acted as mental support, but a lot of them left. Now that my age has reached middle school, I think the hyungs must have felt this way. I have a desire to become a senior who sets a good example. I want to move diligently and become a senior that juniors will not be ashamed of.”
Lim Byeong-wook, a right-handed left-handed outfielder from Deoksu High School, joined Kiwoom as the first nomination in 2014. He received more attention than Kim Ha-seong at the time of joining as a ‘5-tool player’ capable of both Gong and Su-ju. However, due to his big and small injuries, he only had an OPS of .712 with 2.6, 302 hits, 23 homers, 141 RBIs and 50 stolen bases in 428 games in his first team and 6 seasons.
In September of last year, ahead of Sangmu’s discharge, expectations were raised as a reserve power, but it was canceled when he injured his left middle finger during training. He finished the season as it was while undergoing surgery, and is preparing for a comeback season at this year’s camp. On the 23rd of last month (hereinafter Korean time), in a simulation game against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the major leagues, he hit ace Merrill Kelly and hit a home run against Peter Solomon, who is competing for the 6th start, raising expectations for the new season with three hits.
Lim Byung-wook, who was strong with 3 hits in 6 at-bats against Kelly, who was a member of SK (now SSG) before advancing to the major leagues, got another hit against him, who became a big leaguer after 5 years. Lim Byung-wook said, “It’s been a while since I’ve seen Kelly, and her position itself has changed a lot. Like Kelly, I didn’t feel that the Arizona players were particularly powerful because their bodies weren’t fully built yet, but he said, I also built my body well in my own way. It wasn’t a bad game,” he said.
Kiwoom has no owner of an outfield except Lee Jung-hoo and Lee Hyung-jong. With the camp underway in a fiercely competitive structure, Lim Byung-wook emerged as a strong candidate. Kiwoom director Hong Won-ki said, “I have high hopes for Lim Byung-wook, but I try not to express myself much. If he gets a spot in the outfield, he expects it to be easy for him to run the game,” he said. I’m not talking about anything technical. He only emphasizes not getting injured,” he said.
He is a player who can play an active role as a starting player without injury, so coach Hong also asks, “Just don’t get hurt.” Lim Byung-wook said, “The coach wants to see his face throughout the season. I wish I could continue to see the coach for one season,” he said. To get the best physical condition, get up early in the morning, eat well, and prepare for exercise by stretching. Even if it is difficult, I will always maintain a diligent and sincere attitude.”