“I played an outstanding role in air defense.”
On the 27th, at the end of three consecutive matches against the NC Dinos. After confirming the winning series with a 5-0 win, KIA coach Kim Jong-guk looked back at the game and picked one last player. On this day, Han Seung-taek (29), wearing a catcher’s mask, was the main character. Han Seung-taek led starting pitcher Yoon Yeong-chul pitching 5 scoreless innings and teamed up with Jang Hyeon-shik, Jeon Sang-hyun, Lee Jun-young, and Jeong Hae-young, who came to the mound afterwards to lead the Youngbong victory. At bat, the team broke Koo Chang-mo’s perfect streak and took a 3-0 lead at the end of the 7th inning with 2 RBIs on 2nd and 3rd base, putting a wedge in the victory. Coach Kim praised Han Seung-taek after the game, saying, “Today, Han Seung-taek played an outstanding role in the offense and defense. The pitchers’ lead was good, and he scored an RBI at an important moment in batting.”
Han Seung-taek alternates wearing a mask with his junior catcher Joo Hyo-sang (26) this season. He doesn’t have a very good start. His 16-game batting average was 1.39 (5-for-36), 2 RBIs with no home runs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.411. A timely hit made against NC on the 27th led to his first RBI of the season. As of the 27th, the stealing rate is normal at 2.5 pennies.
Han Seung-taek, who made his professional debut at the Hanwha Eagles in the 3rd round of the 2013 rookie draft and wore a KIA uniform in 2016, mainly stayed in a backup role. He played in 105 games in the 2019 season and served as the number 1 catcher, but it did not last long. He started with Kim Min-sik last year as well, but was supported by Park Dong-won, who became a new family member through a trade at the end of April.
As Park Dong-won, who obtained FA qualification, chose to go to LG instead of remaining in the KIA, Han Seung-taek was mentioned as the main player in charge of the home. As for his defensive ability, it was expected to solve his home anxiety to some extent as he was well received, but his sluggish batting and physical fitness problems to play a full-time season have been pointed out. Joo Hyo-sang, who played most of the backup roles during his Kiwoom days, also added to the fact that he had little experience, and his voice pointed out the anxiety in KIA’s home. Despite this, coach Kim put strength to the performance of the two catchers, saying, “It is enough to play well in defense.” 토토사이트
The performance of the air defense against the NC cannot erase all the question marks after Han Seung-taek’s name. However, it is clear that it is an opportunity to become a source of nourishment for development. It remains only for Han Seung-taek to prove himself.
There are still mixed hopes and concerns about Han Seung-taek’s future. The stable pitching lead and defense are well received, but question marks are attached to the contribution to the other line or the stealing base. His stamina, which can keep him at home all season, is still unclear.