episode_0420

On a baseball-less Monday, the coaching staff and power analysis team of the Volcan Falcons were passionately engaged in a meeting at the office meeting room to strategize on defeating their upcoming opponents, the AT Thunders.

“Indeed, Ji Maeng-ho’s batting average has dropped significantly, hasn’t it?”

A middle-aged man in a casual shirt pointed at the PPT where Ji Maeng-ho’s monthly performance from May was listed.

May: 0.438/0.592/1.096/1.688 73 AB 32 H 12 HR 29 BB/11 SO

June: 0.392/0.536/1.152/1.688 79 AB 31 H 16 HR 28 BB/9 SO

July: 0.400/0.500/1.100/1.600 20 AB 8 H 3 HR 4 BB/0 SO

August: 0.314/0.679/0.886/1.565 35 AB 11 H 5 HR 42 BB/10 SO

September: 0.500/0.800/0.500/1.300 2 AB 1 H 0 HR 3 BB/1 SO

Excluding July with only 5 games due to the Olympics and September with just 1 game so far, August’s performance didn’t look impressive. Especially concerning the batting average, which was significantly lower compared to the on-base percentage.

A batting average dropping to the early .300s compared to an on-base percentage close to .700. It might have been an expected outcome. After all, there were hardly any pitchers challenging Ji Maeng-ho post-Olympics.

Ji Maeng-ho’s performance during the Olympics was nothing short of astounding. Not only did he deliver outstanding plays against Major League starters and regulars, but he also hit home runs against contenders like Alcantara, Garrett Cole, and Ohtani, proving that he was on ‘another level.’

The public sentiment reflected this change. While fans went berserk last year during the Korean Series when Ji Maeng-ho walked intentionally, post-Olympics, fans were less likely to blame the opposing team if Ji Maeng-ho wasn’t pitched properly. Perhaps they just wanted to witness his home run records?

Post-Olympics, Ji Maeng-ho’s stature had changed significantly. Even if he reached base mostly through walks, fans and other teams recognized him as a player beyond normal standards.

With the Volcan Falcons in second place and the AT Thunders in first, the game gap was merely 2.5. Given the potential for a ranking shift if they swept this series, the Volcan Falcons initially planned to walk Ji Maeng-ho in most of his plate appearances, just like other teams did post-Olympics.

However, the data brought by the power analysis team was quite intriguing.

“Even watching the videos, do you feel he’s been a bit indecisive lately?”

While Ji Maeng-ho displayed numerous strengths at the plate, if one had to pick the most significant, it would undoubtedly be his uncanny ability to hit pitches that seemed otherworldly to those familiar with baseball.

Yet, observing Ji Maeng-ho’s swings these past few days revealed instances where his timing seemed off, with some hits appearing either delayed or too quick.

“Well… I’m not entirely sure, but I see it too.”

“Right? A .314 average. It’s not fair to call it poor performance, but compared to Ji Maeng-ho’s monstrous feats so far, it does seem somewhat lacking.”

According to the records, the only months where Ji Maeng-ho failed to hit .400 were June and August of last year. Even then, recording averages of .378 and .390, he never dropped below the .300 mark. A .314 average, although based on only 17 games, was his lowest monthly figure.

“We believe there are two possible reasons.”

All eyes inside the meeting room turned towards the middle-aged man.

“The first reason is an adaptation issue.”

“An adaptation issue?”

“Yes. According to what I’ve heard from the players who were called up to represent the country, it is said that Jimang-ho trained to adjust to the fastballs of Major League pitchers during practice sessions. However, there aren’t many pitchers in the KBA who throw pitches as fast as those in the Major Leagues.”

“That’s true. There is a point to that.”

Some might think that for ordinary people, it would be easier to hit slower pitches after facing fast ones. However, hitting isn’t that simple. Whether a hit connects or not is decided within 1/100th of a second. If the ball slows down, it means it connects earlier than the perfect timing, even a slight error can turn a hit into an out, or a home run into a foul.

“Moreover, Jimang-ho had a powerful experience at the Olympics.”

A powerful experience could easily change a player’s hitting style. In baseball, even a player who hits just one or two home runs in a season can’t forget the taste of hitting a home run for days and busily tries to hit more balls. If this happens in the pro leagues, let alone having a powerful experience at the Olympics?

Changing the approach that resonated with Major League players was no easy task.

“And the second point?”

“It must be his batting sense. No matter how good a player is, they eventually have to hit the ball in real games. However, Jimang-ho hasn’t been hitting properly for the past few weeks. Besides, he is still a young player. He lacks the know-how to find his rhythm when going through such a phase. Even in the Korean Series, after sitting out a few games, his batting sense seemed off.”

The coach, Jung Cheol-min, recalled last year’s Korean Series, which became intense towards the end, after hearing from the power analysis team.

“Indeed, he struggled to adapt to the pitches as the series progressed. His last at-bat was a bunt.”

“That’s right. It’s concerning to see a young player lose his batting sense after just a few games. Since he hasn’t had a proper showdown at the plate for almost three weeks this time, it’s natural for his batting sense to decline.”

Jimang-ho’s final at-bat in the Korean Series was a situation he favored. He enjoyed such moments. Jimang-ho was the kind of guy who thrived on being the hero. But instead of aiming for a home run, he bunted? It was a sign of his lack of confidence.

In Coach Jung Cheol-min’s view, Jimang-ho wasn’t the type to bunt in such situations. While a bunt could have sufficed given the situation in the Olympics where even scoring one run would do, UG’s aggressive play was still a factor, making scoring crucial. Without the subsequent home run, victory couldn’t have been guaranteed.

“His declining batting sense is evident. The groundball rate has increased.”

“That’s correct. That’s why our power analysis team suggests challenging Jimang-ho this time. Although his speed may have slightly decreased due to summer, his baserunning sense is exceptional, so getting on base for free might be a burden.”

The Falcons had Yi Yong-gi, who effortlessly stole double-digit bases in the Major Leagues, but not even Yi Yong-gi managed to catch Jimang-ho. In fact, no catcher had caught Jimang-ho. Although he recorded two failed steals last year, without luck like umpire errors or blocking the base, he would have been safe.

Arguably, Jimang-ho’s stealing ability surpassed his hitting, making Coach Jung Cheol-min intrigued by the power analysis team’s proposal. Moreover, facing the AT this time meant dealing with the rotation of Cha Jae-hyun, Garcia, and Seong-hyun. Since they managed the rotation from the start of the second half for the AT game, all three starting pitchers were set to play.

“Alright, let’s give it a try this time.”

Trusting his reliable pitchers and believing in Jimang-ho despite his faltering batting sense, Coach Jung Cheol-min made his decision.

“Then I’ll prepare the data for a competitive direction.”

“Great.”

AT’s key before was Jimaengho. If they could tie up Jimaengho’s bat or legs, defeating AT and reclaiming the top spot wasn’t just a dream.

With that determination in mind, Coach Jung Cheol-min and the Volcanoes’ coaching staff started devising a strategy to face off against AT Thunderz.

“Strike!”

“Huh? It came in?”

“Of course, dude.”

The first to answer my question wasn’t the umpire but Lee Yong-gi.

“It seemed like it was out…”

Was it Cha Jae-hyun after all? When I saw him, the most unique pitcher in Korea throwing the ball with a form that leaned back during his windup, almost showing only his back, had to be Cha Jae-hyun. Was it right to say his body leaned back during the windup? Despite being a left-handed pitcher, his arm angle was closer to sidearm, with a lower elbow angle than average. He was a pitcher with excellent deception.

So I thought he was going out, but the ball seemed to come inside. Although it put me at a disadvantage in the ball count, the situation was good. Throwing a strike from the first pitch meant he was ready to compete with me.

“Good.”

Cha Jae-hyun was not an easy opponent. The guy who awakened since the latter half of last year stepped up a notch this season with the circle changeup he learned from Sung-hyun. Following Sung-hyun, he fulfilled his role as Volcanoes’ second starter and made it to the national team, even recording three scoreless innings in the Olympics. He had already racked up 10 wins. Especially with good stats against left-handed batters, he was quite a challenge for our team, which had many lefties.

That meant it was up to me, a right-handed batter. My heart was already pounding at the thought of leading the team to victory.

“Aren’t you nervous?”

“Why would I be? I’m here to see it for myself.”

“Seeing a strike from the first pitch makes me feel like I’m needed, right?”

“I’ll try on my own for now.”

I declined Rosby’s help and refocused. Cha Jae-hyun’s windup resumed.

“Ball.”

This time, a fastball came deep towards the inside. Had my years of playing been for naught if I couldn’t easily filter out such absurd pitches without Rosby’s help?

“One strike, one ball. Considering Lee Yong-gi’s tendencies, he might throw it right in, don’t you think?”

Luckily, Cha Jae-hyun could only throw fastballs and sliders to me. He hadn’t thrown curves or changeups in our matchups so far. I was thankful for that fact every time. Anyway, all I had to focus on were fastballs and sliders.

And on the third pitch, the ball felt like it was heading outside, so I swung the bat quickly.

Thwack!

The slightly delayed hit went towards second base.

“Oh, damn. Should’ve swung a bit later!”

I ran full speed towards first base, but a person couldn’t be faster than the ball.

“Out!”

“Ah, damn it.”

The result of the first at-bat was an out.

“How can I help?”

Rosby’s whisper of assistance reached me.

“No, I’ll try on my own for now.”

But I declined that offer. Though I was a bit late this time, I felt like if the ball came into John’s zone, I could send it flying beyond the fence.

“I’ll strike out next at-bat. For real.”