SSG Landers’ Shin-soo Choo played in a Futures League game 18 days after being sent to the second team.
Shin-soo Choo started as the No. 1 designated hitter in the 2023 KBO Futures League against the KIA Tigers’ second team at SSG Futures Field in Ganghwa, Ganghwa Province, on Wednesday and went 0-for-3.
He made his first appearance in 18 days as he focused on his recovery after being dropped from the first team roster on March 27 due to an ankle injury.
In his first at-bat, Choo grounded out to 안전놀이터 the second baseman, and in his second at-bat, he grounded out to the second baseman. While he didn’t get a hit at the plate, it was a good day for him to be healthy again.
The Futures coaching staff commented on Shin-Soo Choo’s performance, “He came in as a designated hitter and had three at-bats. His timing was good. However, his swing was a little pulled. His balance was lacking.”
When asked about Shin-soo Choo’s participation in the Futures game, manager Kim Won-hyung said, “He started playing today, so we’ll have to wait and see. We need to keep checking his physical condition.”
Even though he’s hitting and running the bases, we’re still cautious about calling him up to the first team. If Choo Shin-soo is used only as a designated hitter, it will be difficult for other players to stay healthy.
“He needs to be able to play some defense,” Kim said. Choi Joo-hwan, Choi Jeong, and Guillermo Heredia take turns playing designated hitter. So Shin-soo should be able to play defense,” Kim said, revealing the conditions for the first-team call-up.
With Choo Shin-soo in the first team, the outfield could be even better. Outfielder and captain Han Yoo-seom was sent to the second team due to poor hitting, and Ha Jae-hoon, who had been hitting well since joining the team late in the season, was lost to injury.
The team has “pot-bellied” foreign bats Guillermo Heredia and Choi Ji-hoon, as well as Oh Tae-gon and Kang Jin-sung, who can play corner outfield spots, but they are not enough.
Heredia sometimes needs to rest, and Oh often has to play first base. That’s why they need Shin-Soo Choo, who can also play defense.