Pittsburgh Choi Ji-hwan and Bae Ji-hwan duo start the 2023 season in Cincinnati on the 31st
Ji-man Choi (31) and Bae Ji-hwan (23) of the Pittsburgh Pirates finished preparations for the opening of the regular season by participating in the final demonstration game of the 2023 American Professional Baseball Major League (MLB).
Choi Ji-man went 2-for-1 with 1 hit and 1 RBI in an exhibition game against the Minnesota Twins held at Macketney Field in Bradenton, Florida, USA on the 29th (Korean time). 스포츠토토
He finished his year’s exhibitions with a batting average of .278 (10-for-36), one home run, and seven RBIs.
Bae Ji-hwan was silent with no hits in 2 at-bats, and ended the schedule with a batting average of 0.234 (11 hits in 47 at-bats) and 2 RBIs.
Bae Ji-hwan’s performance in the exhibition game is somewhat disappointing, but it seems that the opening of this season will be greeted by MLB.
Local media such as MLB.com reported on the day that “utility resource Bae Ji-hwan and catcher Jason Delay, who can see various defensive positions, will be included in the opening roster.”
Bae Ji-hwan made his big league debut last season, and this season he aims to play MLB full-time.
He started the 2023 season in MLB, not the minor leagues, and is one step closer to achieving his goal.
On this day, Choi Ji-man participated in the first base defense in the top of the 5th inning.
He hit a clean right-handed hit in the bottom of the 5th inning with a 4-2 lead at second base.
Minnesota right-handed bullpen Jordan Brink’s changeup in the middle was well targeted.
Afterwards, Choi Ji-man was caught on a rundown to allow the second base runner to go home.
In the 8th attack, he hit a grounder on first base, leaving a regret.
Bae Ji-hwan played as a great defense at second base in the 6th inning. He retired with a ground ball to first base in the first at bat in the sixth inning and a floating ball to left field in the second at bat in the ninth inning. Pittsburgh lost to Minnesota 5-7.
With this game, Pittsburgh finished the exhibition game schedule.
Choi Ji-man and Bae Ji-hwan will start the 2023 season with the opening game against the Cincinnati Reds at 5:10 am on the 31st at the Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.