Perfect Agent [EN]: Chapter 187

Adherence or Obsession (2)

My gaze went to the information window above his head.

-Doesn’t want to give up the catcher position.

-Wants to show a good performance in the pro first team as soon as possible.

As far as I remember, Han Gyo-jin was a player with excellent hitting ability.

So, since his rookie days, he has been noted as an offensive catcher thanks to his outstanding hitting sense.

However, he still had many shortcomings in his catching defense, so he couldn’t establish himself as a first-team player.

The catcher position required not only hitting but also the ability to see the entire game, including blocking, controlling runners, and framing [skill of subtly influencing the umpire’s strike zone calls], which are necessary for catching defense.

Because there were many abilities to be equipped compared to other positions, it took quite a long time to develop one catcher.

However, he was 24 years old, so he still had plenty of time.

“Gyo-jin, you’ve been discharged, right?”

“Yes. I’m out on my last leave now. My discharge is next week.”

“Congratulations. Do you plan to join the team right after your discharge?”

“I have to. I want to play in games as soon as possible, so I kept exercising in the military. I think I can play right away if I just find my game sense.”

Looking at Han Gyo-jin’s body, it didn’t seem much different from during the season.

He wasn’t that big for a catcher in the first place, but now he seemed to be in much better shape.

“Wow, then I’ll be able to see you at the stadium soon.”

“I hope so too.”

“Okay. Let’s have dinner with Coach In-gyu soon. I’ll buy you something delicious to celebrate your discharge.”

“Yes, I’ll see you again.”

Han Gyo-jin bowed to me and Jung In-gyu and walked away.

* * *

As soon as I entered the office with Jung In-gyu, I asked him as if I didn’t know anything.

“But what’s wrong with Gyo-jin?”

“How did you know that?”

Jung In-gyu looked at me and asked in surprise.

“Who am I? I can tell just by looking at him.”

“Ha… You know I coached Gyo-jin when he was in high school, right?”

“Of course. I know it well.”

Han Gyo-jin also graduated from Jinhan High School.

He was also my special junior because he was playing as a player in Jinhan High School and of course, for the Jaguarz.

“That guy started catching really late.”

“Oh, right.”

As I recall, he had been a right fielder until his third year of high school when he switched to catcher, so he started quite late compared to other catchers.

However, he was recognized for his potential as a catcher because he had a good arm and accurate throwing ability.

“I heard the team suggested changing his main position this time.”

“Change his position? Wasn’t Jaguarz thinking of Gyo-jin as a promising catcher? That’s why they had him resolve his military service quickly.”

“That’s true. But it’s also difficult to improve catching defense in a short period of time, and looking at Gyo-jin’s hitting talent, it’s a waste to keep him in the second team [minor league team].”

“Ah… So, you’re saying he can get promoted to the first team [major league team] if he changes his position?”

“Yes. If he plays as a first baseman or goes back to being a corner outfielder, he can be called up to the first team next season. No, scratch that, he could be called up right away when the expanded roster is implemented in the second half of this season.”

“The problem is that Gyo-jin doesn’t want to change his position?”

“That’s right. Most catchers are like that. Gyo-jin is very attached to the catcher position.”

In most cases, the reason for being attached to a specific position and showing resistance to changing positions was most prominent with catchers.

The catcher position, it was no exaggeration to say that it was the most difficult position in baseball defense.

Even in the scorching summer, they had to squat with heavy equipment and risk their bodies to receive the pitcher’s ball, and they had to study the opposing batter all night long.

On top of that, they had to do hitting practice like other hitters.

However, it wasn’t just difficult.

There was a unique charm that only catchers could enjoy.

The catcher was the only position that could lead the pitcher, infielders, and outfielders and manage the entire game.

As a result, players who have experienced being a catcher often have a deep attachment to the catcher position.

No, maybe it would be difficult to handle the catcher position if they didn’t have such an attachment.

“If he’s good at hitting and has a good arm, a corner outfielder would be perfect.”

I could understand how Han Gyo-jin felt, but if he wanted to reach the first team stage as soon as possible, this would definitely be a good path.

“That’s right. The Jaguarz corner outfielder position is definitely up for grabs right now.”

“Hmm… Then shall we call Gyo-jin and talk about it?”

Jung In-gyu’s face brightened up.

“Is it really okay to do that?”

“Still, he’s our junior. We should do whatever we can to help him.”

“Gyo-jin seems to be interested in our agency. I think he wants to get our help.”

“If that’s the case, we should definitely meet and talk.”

“Right? I’ll call him right now.”

Jung In-gyu, upon hearing my agreement, immediately called Han Gyo-jin.

* * *

The very next day, early in the morning.

Han Gyo-jin visited the agency’s accommodation again.

He arrived almost at the crack of dawn.

He arrived so early that he hadn’t even properly freshened up.

At this point, he must have left home before sunrise. Is it because he was in the military until just a few days ago?

I hurriedly put on my clothes and went into the office with him.

“Did I come too early?”

“No. It’s good to meet and talk quickly.”

I handed Han Gyo-jin a glass of cool drink and sat facing him.

“You’re amazing, senior. I saw the articles while I was in the military, but seeing them again now, it’s really impressive.”

“No, I still have a long way to go.”

Even though I waved my hand dismissively, Han Gyo-jin looked at me with respectful eyes.

I wanted to avoid the embarrassing situation, so I changed the subject.

“Gyo-jin, I heard you have some concerns these days.”

“Yes… I talked to the manager recently.”

“I heard a little from In-gyu. I heard the team suggested changing your position?”

“Yes…”

Han Gyo-jin nodded weakly.

“You really don’t want to do it?”

“Well… I don’t want to.”

“But I think right field suits you best right now. If you go to the outfield, the defensive burden will be reduced compared to the catcher, so you can focus on hitting.”

If Han Gyo-jin focused on his hitting ability, he could form a formidable outfield lineup with center fielder Donald Watson.

“That’s true… But I really want to try being a catcher.”

“Don’t you want to get to the first team quickly?”

I looked at Han Gyo-jin’s information window and asked.

-Doesn’t want to give up the catcher position.

-Wants to show a good performance in the pro first team as soon as possible.

For Han Gyo-jin, the two desires were conflicting.

He had to choose between the catcher position and reaching the first team as soon as possible.

“I want to get to the first team. I’m not a baseball player because I want to play in the second team.”

“It takes a lot of time to become a starting catcher in a professional team. And the third catcher on the team will hardly ever play in a first team game.”

Since the role of the catcher in defense is so crucial, no team would use an unprepared player.

“…”

“If you cover the corner outfield and first base with your current hitting skills, you can get to the first team right away.”

“That’s true…”

“There’s a player like that in the major leagues too. A player who gave up being a catcher and switched to right field because he wanted to play in the major leagues quickly. If that player had continued to be a catcher, he might not have been able to set foot on the major league stage even now.”

“Ha…”

Han Gyo-jin sighed deeply and fell into contemplation.

I waited for a while and then asked him a question.

“Why do you really want to be a catcher?”

In fact, the catcher was far from a glamorous position.

They always had to squat and risk their bodies, and if the ball hit the batter’s bat at an angle, they would often get hit by the ball.

The speed of the pitcher’s fastball increases even more at the moment it hits the bat at an angle, so it was bound to be painful no matter how much protection they had.

“Actually, I don’t really know the reason. I just want to do it. Or rather, I just don’t want to give up.”

“…”

Just wanting to do it and not wanting to give up.

It was a stronger motivation than having a clear reason.

“Senior, can’t I keep trying?”

“Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“…”

“It may take a really long time to become a first team catcher. In the meantime, there will be constant temptations to change positions. Can you endure without wavering every time?”

Han Gyo-jin fell into deep contemplation at my question.

After a while, he nodded and answered.

“Yes, I will.”

“You can’t give up?”

“I really want to try it.”

Looking at Han Gyo-jin’s eyes, it seemed like he had made a firm decision.

“Okay, then let’s do it together. Our junior said he’ll do it, so I can’t just stand still.”

“Thank you, senior.”

Han Gyo-jin bowed to me.

“Have you been training a lot in the meantime?”

“Yes. I did it whenever I had time after work while I was in the military.”

“You trained in the military too?”

“The company commander looked favorably on me. He supported me so that I could train.”

“Oh, really? He’s a good person.”

I moved on to the main topic.

“Gyo-jin. What is the most lacking part of your game as a catcher right now?”

“I think I’m a little lacking in blocking.”

“What are you most confident in?”

“I’m confident in throwing. I had more than 40% stolen base against even in the second team.”

He was recognized for his throwing ability as an outfielder before switching to catcher, so there was nothing to worry about in that area.

“Then it would be good to talk while training together. Come to the agency with your equipment tomorrow. If it’s hard to commute, you can stay here for a while.”

“But, senior…”

Han Gyo-jin, who heard my words, hesitated and looked at me.

“What do you want to say?”

“Actually, I brought all my luggage. If it’s okay with you, senior, can we start today?”

“You brought everything? The equipment?”

“Yes. I brought everything just in case. And clothes to stay for a few days.”

“What were you going to do if I didn’t tell you to come?”

I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I didn’t think you would tell me to just go.”

I burst out laughing at that answer.

“You’re right. Then let’s go get ready and start right away.”

I put my hand on Han Gyo-jin’s shoulder and left the office together.

* * *

Jung In-gyu, Han Gyo-jin, and I went down to the training ground.

While Han Gyo-jin was putting on the catcher’s equipment he had brought, I looked at the data from when Han Gyo-jin was playing as a catcher.

Honestly, there was no need to look at the hitting part in detail.

I had already seen it with my own eyes while I was playing.

What was important to Han Gyo-jin was catching defense.

“I’m going to check everything overall. I’ll take a look at everything from blocking to throwing and framing.”

“Yes.”

Han Gyo-jin answered vigorously and sat behind home base.

After a while, the ball started to pop out of the batting machine.

Perfect Agent [EN]

Perfect Agent [EN]

퍼펙트 에이전트
Status: Completed Author: Native Language: Korean
Bookmark
[English Translation] From the ashes of a shattered baseball dream, a new legend rises! Kang Hyun-woo, once a promising player, is sidelined by a career-ending trauma. But fate has a twist in store. An extraordinary ability is awakened within him, granting him a second chance in a world he thought he'd left behind. Witness the birth of the Perfect Agent, as Kang Hyun-woo navigates the cutthroat world of sports, proving that even in defeat, victory can be found in the most unexpected places. Get ready for a thrilling journey of resilience, strategy, and the unwavering pursuit of greatness!

Read Settings

not work with dark mode
Reset