Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 159

Winter League (1)

With So Young-joon’s contract finalized, all salary negotiations and FA [Free Agent] contracts for the agency’s players were concluded after numerous twists and turns.

Now, I had two important tasks left to complete this winter.

These were to recruit additional foreign players to recommend to domestic clubs and to find a team for Seo Sung-min to play for starting next season.

Recruiting foreign players would be a bonus if possible, but finding a team for Seo Sung-min was something I absolutely had to do.

While helping Seo Sung-min with his training, I had also completed an analysis of his optimal positions.

He was capable enough to play as a second baseman, first baseman, or left fielder in the professional league.

I had also asked Jung In-kyu to allow Seo Sung-min to focus more on training in those positions.

I wanted to find a team for Seo Sung-min as quickly as possible, but at this time of year, clubs were busy trying to re-sign their existing foreign players or find new ones.

The time when Seo Sung-min would find a team was likely to be after the clubs had finalized their foreign player lineups.

It was also more likely that a club would sign Seo Sung-min when they could no longer bring in outside players, and we could find the best team for Seo Sung-min to play for.

Therefore, I planned to focus on scouting foreign players first.

I headed to the training grounds to see Seo Sung-min one last time before taking the plane to the United States.

At the training grounds, several players were sweating profusely.

Jung In-kyu was watching the players with a hawk’s eye, helping them with their training.

Thwack!

Thwack!

Thwack!

The sound of the ball being hit resounded clearly from one area of the training grounds.

The player helping Seo Sung-min with his batting practice was Choi Woo-jin.

Seo Sung-min was batting from the right side of the plate against the left-handed pitcher Choi Woo-jin.

Choi Woo-jin was able to pitch against a professional player, and Seo Sung-min was able to bat against a left-handed pitcher with good control.

I stood quietly and watched Seo Sung-min and Choi Woo-jin’s training.

Thwack!

Thwack!

Standing behind the net, Choi Woo-jin threw fastballs into every corner of the strike zone.

Even though Seo Sung-min knew it was a fastball, it didn’t seem easy for him to make solid contact.

He was definitely a player with good control.

However, his pitch velocity was not yet at a professional level.

Crack!

Crack!

When Seo Sung-min’s bat made solid contact with Choi Woo-jin’s pitch, the ball flew far, like a home run over the fence.

Choi Woo-jin was only a sophomore in high school, so he could definitely improve with systematic weight training and diet control.

Anyway,

“Wow, that’s amazing.”

I couldn’t help but exclaim every time I saw the ball hit by Seo Sung-min’s bat fly away.

I just wished I could see it flying across the field, but it was too cold outside.

“Representative, what are you watching so intently?”

Jung In-kyu quietly approached me.

“Anyone would think Sung-min is naturally a right-handed batter.”

“He’s amazing. His accuracy isn’t perfect yet, but at this rate, I wonder if he’ll cause an upset next season.”

“If our coach says that, I’m getting excited too.”

“And I’ve been in baseball for a long time, from player to coach, but I’ve never seen a player like that before.”

Jung In-kyu shook his head.

“Is it because he trains so much?”

“It’s not just that he trains a lot. Honestly, I’m the type to create a tough training program. I’ve heard players ask me to reduce the program, but he’s the first player in my coaching career to ask me to add more.”

“He really asked you to add more training?”

“That’s right. He’s scarily dedicated.”

He was truly the hardest-working player in our agency.

“And you haven’t forgotten what I asked you to do with Sung-min’s training, have you?”

I had asked him to focus his defensive training on the second base, first base, and left field positions.

It was time for Seo Sung-min to focus and choose.

In fact, training in those three defensive positions simultaneously would be a huge task for other players, but for Seo Sung-min, it was already a significant reduction.

“Of course. You don’t have to worry about that.”

“Thanks. I feel reassured.”

I put my arm around Jung In-kyu’s shoulder and said.

“Isn’t it about time for you to leave?”

Jung In-kyu asked, looking at his watch.

“Has it already gotten that late?”

“Have a safe trip. Don’t worry about anything here.”

“Okay, take care of things while I’m gone.”

After talking with Jung In-kyu, I went upstairs to pack my bags.

A little later, as I was about to leave the agency’s dorm, the players came out to the gate to see me off.

Even though it was cold, they all stood there without moving.

“Representative, have a safe trip!”

“I’ll be back soon!”

After saying goodbye to the players, I headed to the airport with Lee Joo-hyuk to catch my flight to the United States.

* * *

The Winter League was in full swing in Arizona.

The original plan was to join from the beginning of the Winter League and watch the games, but my participation was delayed due to the salary adjustment negotiations.

Fortunately, Lee Joo-hyuk was constantly in contact with Alex Thomas, receiving the necessary data.

Thanks to that, I was able to watch the players’ videos that Thomas had sent in advance while on the plane.

After a long flight and a few hours’ drive, I was finally able to reach the place where the Arizona Winter League was being held.

The Arizona Winter League was a league where games were played mainly by promising players after the Major League and Minor League seasons ended.

Most of the players had not yet entered the Major League or had not established themselves as starters.

Therefore, if a player stood out here, they would likely perform well and grow if given the opportunity in Korea.

I found it difficult to hide my excitement throughout the journey.

Moreover, the scenery outside the window felt quite new to me, as it was my first time seeing a desert area.

I was able to meet Thomas at a cafe near the stadium.

“Thomas! How have you been?”

I greeted Thomas warmly.

Even though it was only the second time I had seen him, I was as happy as if I had met an old friend.

As expected, I could tell that he had no interest in fashion today either.

This time, he was wearing hats and uniform tops from different teams.

The hat, jacket, and uniform top each boasted intense colors.

Couldn’t he just wear one team’s uniform a day?

If he did that, he could at least avoid becoming a fashion terrorist like he is now.

Well, what does fashion matter between us?

“My friend Kang, Lee! Long time no see. You look even better?”

“I can’t help but be happy when I think about meeting Thomas.”

“Hahaha. You’ve had a long journey.”

Thomas laughed heartily and greeted me and Lee Joo-hyuk.

-I’m very happy that Michael Scott is doing well in Korea.

-I’m excited to create opportunities for new players.

As in the information window, Thomas started with the story of Michael Scott.

“Kang, I heard that Michael Scott is doing great in Korea?”

“Oh, it was amazing. There are so many Michael Scott fans in Korea right now.”

While I was talking, Lee Joo-hyuk played a video.

It was a scene of Michael Scott receiving tremendous support from the Jaguars fans.

-Waaaaah- Scott! Scott! Scott!

The fans wearing uniforms with Michael Scott’s name on them were waving cheering sticks and shouting their support for Michael Scott.

Everyone stood up and applauded when he went down from the mound [the pitcher’s area].

It was so loud that my ears hurt even though I was watching it on video.

“Wow!”

Thomas’s mouth was wide open throughout the video.

“Scott has gained so many fans even though he only played about half the season.”

“It must be really exciting for the players to receive this kind of support?”

“Of course. The adrenaline is no joke.”

I still couldn’t forget the cheers of the fans I had heard in the first-team stadium, even though it was only once.

“Watching this makes me want to play as a player.”

It seemed that the afterglow had not disappeared for Thomas even after the video ended.

“I’ll invite you to Korea sometime. Let’s go see a game where Scott is starting.”

“That sounds fun. Please invite me.”

I could feel the anticipation in Thomas’s expression.

With the stories of recent events finished, it was time to talk about the things we really had to do.

“I’ve carefully reviewed the videos that Thomas sent me.”

“How is it? Are there any players that stand out?”

“Of course. Thomas recommended them himself. I can’t help but be satisfied.”

“That’s a relief.”

They were players who had shown good results in Triple-A leagues [the highest level of Minor League Baseball], and most of them were young players in their mid-20s.

“Now, the only thing left is whether these players are positive about entering the Korean stage, right?”

In fact, this was the more important part.

No matter how good they were, we didn’t want them to come to Korea just to earn more money than in the minor leagues.

“I guess so. Then tell me if there are any players you want to meet first.”

Thomas took out a notepad and asked me.

I said the names of a few players that stood out.

“Is it okay to meet the players right after the game today?”

“Of course. It’s better if we can meet them as soon as possible.”

“Okay. I’ll talk to them right away.”

Thomas immediately sent messages to the players.

It wasn’t long before he was able to make appointments with several players.

“Then shall we go see the game for now?”

“Let’s do that.”

We packed up all our luggage and moved to the stadium.

When I entered the stadium, there were quite a few spectators even though it wasn’t a Major League game.

I guess it’s because they’re bored since the season is over and they can’t watch baseball.

As it was a game with many promising players in the lineup, several team scouts were noticeable.

Even though it was a league with a short schedule, there were also postseason games.

The 30 teams were divided into 6 districts and were playing a league for about a month.

Before long, it was time for the game to start, and as the players and umpires came out onto the field, the scouts began to move busily.

Finally, the game time was approaching.

Now, Lee Joo-hyuk, Thomas, and I also turned our attention to the stadium.

What kind of players will I be able to meet on this trip to the United States?

My heart was pounding at the thought that I might be able to meet another player like Michael Scott.