Genius Pitcher Hides 170Km [EN]: Chapter 283

#282. Number 44

Though the Seattle Mariners boast the best winning percentage in the American League, they’re far from perfect.

The performance gap between the starters and backup players, and the still-shaky bullpen, remain concerns.

These are issues, but the biggest weakness lies in the team’s youth.

When they find their rhythm, they can achieve great heights, but a single slip-up can trigger a collective slump.

The reason Seattle’s record this season is marked by winning and losing streaks is precisely because of this vulnerability.

The problem is that one of the inherent weaknesses of such a young team is their susceptibility to experienced pitchers.

Like veteran Brian Bailey, who started for the Giants today.

“Alright! Bailey! You’re the best!”

“You’re the only one we can trust!”

That right-handed pitcher, a fixture on the Giants’ mound for the past 15 years, is deliberately avoiding me and Ty Johnson today, opting instead to manage the game by exploiting the team’s young hitters.

It’s not the first time I’ve encountered this strategy, but there’s no easy solution, so I have no choice but to trust my teammates.

Don’t rush, take it slow, and make smart plays.

Even if it seems impossible right now, when the entire team can consistently execute those plays, Seattle will truly deserve to be called a strong team.

It’s a shame that our team’s starter, Dalvin Schwartz, is pitching the game of his life, holding the Giants scoreless through the 5th inning.

I’d love to help him get the win on a day like this, but…

Well, I need a pitch to hit first, right?

With both teams’ pitchers performing exceptionally, a tight 0-0 deadlock persisted as the Giants’ at-bat began in the bottom of the 5th inning.

And our team’s first crisis unfolded.

With one out and nobody on base, the Giants’ leadoff hitter smacked a massive triple that split the center-right field.

[Number 2 hitter, Third Baseman Luke Bell]

A powerful hitter representing the Giants stepped up to the plate.

Eventually, the pitching coach called a timeout and headed to the mound.

It’s a tricky situation.

The first real threat to give up a run in a tight 0-0 game, with our fifth starter, who’s having his best season, on the mound, and Luke Bell, the opposing team’s star hitter, at the plate.

If winning today’s game is paramount, it might be worth considering bringing in a middle relief pitcher with good stuff here, but I don’t think our manager is that type.

“Play!”

As expected, the coach offered a brief word of encouragement to the pitcher and then left the mound.

And the game resumed.

Giants’ number 2 hitter, Luke Bell.

The third baseman for the US national team that I faced in the World Baseball Classic [WBC] a few years ago.

A powerful hitter who consistently bats over .300 and hits more than 20 home runs every season.

This situation, where a run can score with an outfield fly or a well-placed ground ball, is incredibly challenging for both the pitcher and the hitter.

It’s obvious, but the pitcher, tasked with preventing that run, faces the greater difficulty.

Because preventing even an outfield fly or an infield ground ball, let alone a hit, is easier said than done.

Of course, if you’re a pitcher with exceptional stuff and control, it’s a challenge worth embracing.

Thwack!

Unfortunately, our team’s fifth starter, Dalvin Schwartz, wasn’t quite that kind of pitcher.

“Whoa!”

“Alright! That’s it!”

Luke Bell beautifully lifted a low pitch.

The ball rocketed towards me like a bullet.

It’s my first time playing left field this season, but it’s not unfamiliar.

Right before my regression, when I was contemplating retirement, my primary position was right here.

The most crucial aspect of outfield defense is predicting where the ball will land.

The first clue is the sound of the bat hitting the ball.

Judging from the crisp sound, it’s not a shallow fly ball.

And the second clue is the trajectory of the hit.

The left-field wall of Oracle Park isn’t as unusually high as the right side, but clearing the wall still looks difficult.

If so,

Thud

After leaning against the fence, tracking the speed and direction of the ball until the last moment,

The instant the ball descends, I take a step forward as if walking,

Thud

I caught the ball just one meter away from the fence.

I could see the runner on 3rd base tagging up [leaving the base to advance after the catch].

Without hesitation, I unleashed a throw with all my might towards home plate.

“Thwack!”

Whoosh

Pow!

“Out!”

Hmm, it’s been a while since I’ve done that, but it’s not bad?

* * *

– W, what on earth… Commissioner. What exactly did we just witness?

– Haha, haha, hahaha.

– Um, don’t just laugh…

– Ah, I’m sorry. Haha, this is truly something to behold. Anyway, let’s break down the play. Luke Bell hit a ball that flew to the warning track, and Han Su-hyeok caught the ball and threw out the runner tagging up from 3rd base at home. Simple, right?

– Ah, the Giants fans are going wild. The donuts and hot dogs they were eating are scattered on the ground… The game is temporarily suspended as a result.

– It can’t be helped. The Giants’ number 1 hitter isn’t a typical leadoff hitter. He’s not particularly fast, and his base-running instincts aren’t exceptional. He’s used as the number 1 hitter primarily because of his high on-base percentage. Even considering that, he should have easily scored on that hit.

– That’s right. Ah, it seems Han Su-hyeok’s throwing speed has just been measured. 106 miles per hour… Haha, wow, Han Su-hyeok’s throw from in front of the left-field fence clocked in at 170.6 km/h [kilometers per hour].

– I think so.

– What?

– I think we should seriously consider using Han Su-hyeok as a right fielder.

– Hmm.

– Seattle has several options at 3rd base. Jonathan Owens, whose defense remains top-notch, despite a recent hitting slump; Liam Landman, acquired from the Marlins; and Lonnie Montalic… But the outfield is a bit thin. If one of the three starters is unavailable, designated hitter Antonio Garcia has to fill in. But that player’s defense is…

–

– It’s atrocious. Honestly, I’ve never seen a player defend so poorly in my life.

– That’s right. So, I think we need to consider using Han Su-hyeok as a right fielder. Throwing the ball from the warning track and nailing the runner tagging up? There’s no right fielder in the world who can do that. If you put him in right field, you can prevent a significant number of 2nd base runners from scoring on singles.

– Yes, I agree. In the meantime, the grounds crew has finished their work, and the game is resuming. Commissioner, Han Su-hyeok is truly amazing. Seattle, getting that kind of performance from a player on a minimum salary, is incredibly fortunate.

– Absolutely. You couldn’t find a player like that even if you offered him $100 million a year. Seattle is a blessed team.

* * *

“Damn, that was a great play, Han. I’ve never seen a throw like that.”

“Shouldn’t we pool our salaries and give them all to that guy?”

“Salary? Ah, that’s right. Han, you’re getting the minimum salary, right? Derek’s right. Let’s chip in.”

Derek’s joke reminded me of a fact I had overlooked.

Come to think of it, I am getting the minimum salary.

Hmm, some people have suggested that I lost out in several ways with this move to the United States, but that’s not necessarily true.

Because of service time rules, the first year’s salary is indeed the minimum, but the $25 million posting fee [fee paid to the player’s former team] has already been deposited into the Warriors club account that I own.

And since coming to the United States, I’ve even acquired a stake in the Seattle team, so every play I make directly impacts my profits.

Well, it’s not so bad to play the role of a rookie earning the minimum salary for now.

“The minimum wage earner is doing this much, so you have to do your part now, Derek?”

“Alright, I’ll try to get to first base somehow.”

Seattle’s attack in the top of the 6th inning.

Number 1 hitter Derek stepped up to the plate.

The biggest reason our team hasn’t scored today is Derek’s slump.

It might be an exaggeration to call it a slump after just one game, but Derek’s inability to get on base has given the opposing pitcher a reason to avoid me and Ty Johnson.

That’s why this inning’s attack, starting again with number 1, is so crucial.

Understanding the importance, Derek swung at the first pitch and delivered a clean hit to left field.

Thwack!

“Nice, Derek!”

“Okay, let’s go! Go! Go! Mariners!”

The desired scenario unfolded.

With no outs and a runner on 1st base, the veteran pitcher has no reason not to walk me and Ty.

Because no one in their right mind would issue an intentional walk here to load the bases with no outs.

Judging by the flow of today’s game, there’s a high probability that the game will be decided by 2 points, or 3 points at most.

That’s why there’s a high probability that a game-deciding pitch is coming.

I’m ready for it.

Rustle

Many experts have expressed concern about my hitting approach, which adapts to the situation without a fixed batting stance.

No matter how skilled a hitter is, they can’t hit every pitch, regardless of its location.

That’s why they argue that it’s necessary to maintain a precisely honed batting form, swing at the pitches you can hit, and lay off the ones you can’t.

That’s true.

Generally speaking.

“Play!”

But I have 18 years of experience playing exclusively in the professional arena, combined with a young and vibrant body in my early 20s that hasn’t yet reached its peak.

It would be a waste to pursue only stability with this kind of potential.

That’s why I’m stepping up to the plate with the conviction that I can hit any ball that comes within my range.

Maybe I’ll regret this choice in the distant future,

Whoosh

Thwaaaaaack!

Well, it doesn’t seem like that’s the case right now.

“Whoaaaaaaaa!”

“Going! Going! Going!”

A two-run home run that soars straight and just barely clears the right-field wall.

Derek, who was standing on 1st base, jumps up and down like a rabbit as he rounds the bases.

I smiled at the sight and slowly made my way towards 1st base.

“Damn it! I got hit again! And by that guy!”

“Brian! You washed-up has-been! Go die!”

The veteran pitcher, who had been praised by the fans moments ago, hangs his head as boos rain down.

I know better than anyone how that feels, so I feel a twinge of sympathy, but…

“Wooooooo! Hurry back! You son of a bitch!”

“Run with all your might! Get out of the dugout quickly!”

The jeers of the crowd are directed at me, and suddenly I feel a surge of defiance.

I slowed down even further and returned home, circling the bases almost as if I were taking a leisurely stroll.

Bang

The Giants catcher, who was glaring at me yesterday, turns his head away as if he didn’t see me.

Hmm,

What’s going on, did they give an order not to engage with me?

“Damn it, this monster, he already has 44 home runs?”

“How many is he going to hit?”

“Come out, anyone who said he was pitiful because he was getting the minimum salary. This guy will be the highest-paid player in the league in a few years.”

Forty-four…

Hmm, I’ve hit quite a few.

I wonder how far this can really go?

The Genius Pitcher Hides 170km