SSG Landers infielder Choi Joo-hwan (35) made minor changes to regain his self-esteem. So far so good.
It is still only during the demonstration game, but compared to last year, his movements are light. The face is also bright. So he is looking forward to this year.
Choi Joo-hwan is showing good condition in the demonstration game that started on the 13th. He only has 3 hits in 4 games, but the quality of his batting is good. His swing is also light and playful.메이저사이트
On the first day of his exhibition game, he also hit a home run against the Samsung Lions. During his four matches, his batting average was 3.3. He doesn’t have to put a lot of meaning into it. His confidence, the way he wants to hit, and whether the routines and habits he has set up so far are working well are important.
Choi Joo-hwan is full of confidence. After playing for a long time as a Doosan Man, he obtained FA status and is playing in the SSG Landers uniform, but his last two years have not lived up to his expectations.
He also felt a lot of pressure to do well. His twist once led to impatience and did not work out. Besides, he struggled with his injuries. His last 2 years have been a lot of trouble for his heart.
At the coaching staff, I tried to help Choi Joo-hwan come back to life, but he did not work out. Joo-hwan Choi, who recorded a batting average of 2.5 6, 18 homers and 67 RBIs in 116 games in 2021, only batted 2.1 1. 9 homers and 41 RBIs in 97 games last year.
I was desperate and spent the winter. Once the change was noticeable. Choi Joo-hwan, whom I met at a camp in Florida, USA last February, smiled happily and said, “I got plastic surgery.” He continued, “I lost 7 kg in weight. He explained that during the off-season he had a ‘PT plastic surgery’.”
He said, “Except for 2019 when I had a side injury, my grades were good from 2016 to 2020 when I did the PT. Back then, he had good quickness and quick bat speed.” He then confidently said, “I am in physical condition in 2020, when I was in Doosan.”
After going through the 2nd camp in Okinawa, Japan, they are preparing for the opening of the regular season through demonstration games. The heart that I promised during the first camp does not change. He made a difference in his trivial habits.
Choi Joo-hwan, who met ahead of the exhibition match against the Lotte Giants held at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 16th, said, “It seems that everything has changed. He cares a lot about his health too. He has changed a lot from small habits. In the off-season, he eats healthy and passes the time with regular exercise,” he said.
An interview with Shohei Otani, a Japanese star who has established himself as the best player in the American major leagues with his two-time double job, also stimulated him.
Choi Joo-hwan said, “I saw an interview with Ohtani. Looking at that player, he thought a lot about when he was really young. He sometimes seems like he has to be preoccupied with something and even go crazy. He is a player from a different country, but he seems to have to admit that he deserves it. I think he is a player who achieves a lot with great effort rather than being born.”
Choi Joo-hwan said, “He did a lot of exercise, but he made a lot of changes starting with the smallest things.” Hitting coach Lee Jin-young is also proud of his appearance. Coach Lee said, “The batting balance has been broken a lot due to injuries. However, he is now healthy and seems to have realized a lot on his own since the second half of last season. He seems to be changing his mind little by little,” he praised.
Choi Joo-hwan said, “He seems to have improved a lot and his confidence has regained.” As much as that, his coaching staff is also putting their expectations on him.