Is the potential of Cho Hyung-woo (23, SSG Landers), a big catcher prospect, exploding.
Cho started as ninth hitter and catcher at the match against the Suwon KT Wiz on Sunday, and led his team to an 11-5 victory with four hits (one homer) and two RBIs in four times at bat. It was the first time that Cho had four hits in a game since his debut in 2022. It was his third career game in 598 days since the game against the Kia Tigers in Incheon on Sept. 3, 2023. He performed what he called "career night" in his 99th game.먹튀검증
After graduating from Gwangju Jeil High School, Cho was selected by the SK Wyverns as the ninth overall pick in the first round of the second round of the 2021 rookie draft. As evidenced by his turn, he was a home ground resource that attracted attention in the draft that year. However, his performance since debuting in 2022 has been minimal. He showed good performance in the Futures (minority league) league, but was frozen whenever he moved to the first division. He stayed in the second division (19 games in the first division) for a long time in the last season. As the team continued its fierce race to advance to the fifth round, it was difficult to guarantee time for the team to play.
SSG coach Lee Soo-yong changed his mind. Before departing for Vero Beach, Florida, the site of this year's spring camp for the first team, Lee expressed his intention to use Cho with confidence. "I would have trusted Cho and used him more this season, but I was shaken," Lee said. "I made a strong commitment every year, but I was disappointed (with the outcome)," Cho said after receiving trust from the coach. "I am determined to have more chances this time. I will definitely get it because I don't get a chance every year."
With his desperation, Cho changed his batting style throughout the season. Rather than his trademark leg-kick, he is equipped with the Toe-tap. With little movement of posture when hitting a ball, it is difficult to put strength on a ball. However, as the legs that serve as the axis do not shake, the accuracy can be enhanced. The adjustment was successful for now. Cho's batting average was 0.353 (6 hits in 17 times at bat) in nine games as of Sunday.
At the beginning of the season, it was not easy to get a chance to play because it was pushed by Lee Ji-young, the main catcher. However, Lee Ji-young was excluded from the first-team entry due to an injury (hamstring) on the 22nd, making Cho Hyung-woo's shoulders heavy. This is because he has to take care of the home turf with rookie Lee Yul-ye.
Cho will play with the idea that he is the last player in mind. He is also impatient as he has yet to complete his mandatory military service. "I want to become a player who can be called the main catcher no matter what," Cho said before the season. It remains to be seen how close he will be to his goal. His performance will accelerate the change of generation in the home turf of SSG.