“KIA Park Jun-pyo”
2020 KBO League regular season MVP Mel Rojas Jr. (34) returned to KT. It has been four years. Rojas played for KT from 2017 to 2020, posting a total batting average of 0.32132 home runs, 409 RBIs, and 350 runs. Notably, he won the MVP of the 2020 season with a batting average of 0.349, 47 home runs, 135 RBIs, 116 runs scored and OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 1.097. 먹튀검증
KT’s core lineup has gained another momentum. The coach plans to put Park Byung-ho in the fourth and deploy LOHAS and Kang Baek-ho in the front and back to complete the lineup, which will consist of LOHAS, Park Byung-ho and Kang Baek-ho.
He has already played for four seasons. He has no problem adjusting. He only needs to improve his batting pace. “I know a lot of players and I used to be with other teams, but most of them are acquainted with me, so I’m enjoying the camp comfortably,” LOHAS said. “I’m doing my best to prepare according to the circumstances.”
KT is considered a favorite along with LG and KIA for this season. It is widely believed that KT has become stronger as it has no power leakage and LOHAS has joined the team. Starting with the first post season in the 2020 season where LOHAS played, KT has taken the fall stage for four consecutive years, winning the combined title in the 2021 season, ranking fourth in the 2022 season, and advancing to the Korean Series last year. How would KT feel four years ago and later.
“Our team has become a very strong team now,” he said, adding, “Compared to the last year, the team has been upgraded in general. For example, I think young players such as Bae Jung-dae and So Hyung-joon have matured due to their experiences during the postseason. In particular, Ko Young-pyo is close to being a complete pitcher, as he does not need a modifier. Through various experiences, the team has become stronger and has become a stronger team.”
Still, is there a pitcher who deserves attention? His answer was not as expected. It was not Yang Hyeon-jong, Kia’s ace. Neither was Raul Alcantara, who had 20 wins, nor Drew Luchinski, the NC ace who had 19 wins. He recalled Kia’s number 31.
“I don’t remember the exact name. It was KIA’s No. 31 pitcher,” Rojas said.
At that time, KIA’s No. 31 pitcher was Park Jun-pyo, a sidearm pitcher. Park played in 50 games during the 2020 season, recording 7 wins, 1 loss, 6 saves, 11 holds, and 1.57 ERA. Rojas met Park Jun-pyo during the 2020 season, and recorded no hits and three strikeouts in four times at bat.
“Park Jun-pyo’s pitching mechanism was unique, so I felt uncomfortable at bat. That’s why he was the most difficult pitcher to deal with,” he said.
“I think I’ve achieved everything I can in my personal performance. What’s left is to win. Winning is my biggest goal,” he said. “Another goal is to show better performance than Rojas in 2020.”