Lotte’s home is not just a FA catcher.
On the 2nd, a practice match between Lotte and Hanwha was held at Gushikawa Stadium in Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. The match was won by Lotte 8-7.
The batter who boasted the most dazzling bat in the hot batting battle was Lotte catcher Lee Jung-hoon (29), who hit 3 doubles. Lee Jung-hoon, who played as a substitute that day, swung a fire bat with 3 hits, 2 RBIs and 3 points in 3 at-bats.메이저놀이터
Lee Jung-hoon is a new member of the Lotte team ahead of this season. At the end of last season, he was released from KIA, but Lotte reached out.
Right-handed and left-handed catcher Lee Jung-hoon joined the KIA in 2017 and showed potential for growth in 41 games in 2021, recording a batting average of .248, an on-base percentage of .358, and a slugging percentage of .341 with two home runs and 14 RBIs. However, last year, all he did was go 0-for-8 in 6 games. His career record at KIA was .229 with 2 homers and 17 RBIs.
One of Lotte’s topics this year is the home. It has already succeeded in reinforcing the home by recruiting Yoo Kang-nam in the free agent market for a total of 8 billion won over 4 years. Of course, Yoo Kang-nam boasts a strong body enough to rank first in the catcher’s defense innings last year, but Yoo Kang-nam alone cannot operate the catcher’s staff. Therefore, the backup catcher’s support is also important, and Lee Jung-hoon is emerging as a new vitality for Lotte’s catchers.
Lee Jung-hoon, who hit 3 doubles that day, said that he put more weight on defense than on his bat. Lee Jung-hoon said, “I paid a lot of attention to the pitcher’s lead in the defense part. I’m getting better in defense, and hitting at the right time has led to positive results. I want to continue to get good results at the baseball field.”
With the victory on the day, Lotte ran 4 consecutive victories in practice matches. Lotte coach Larry Sutton said, “I had another opportunity to win. I allowed two leads, but I am happy to know that I am improving in overcoming it. Defensive help also came out when it was appropriate, but the details in the air defense need to be supplemented. Han It was a game that showed the spirit of the team.”