Villain On The Mound [EN]: Chapter 40

Mound Villain – Episode 40

The Major League spring training camps are primarily held in two locations.

Florida and Arizona.

The 30 Major League teams divide themselves evenly, with 15 teams setting up camps in each location.

Oakland establishes its camp in Arizona to prepare for the upcoming season.

“Whew~ There are a lot of reporters here.”

Baek Jun-ki arrived near the accommodation to cover Oakland.

Reporters were already stationed in front of the hotel where Oakland had set up their base.

There were quite a few Korean reporters, along with many international reporters.

“Senior!”

He turned towards the familiar voice.

It was Davin.

“You’re here early.”

“I’m being diligent. Besides, today is the day Korea’s super rookie makes his appearance at camp.”

“You’re good at saying cheesy things.”

“Oh my~ Isn’t that a nickname I came up with?”

Korea’s super rookie.

Of course, this referred to Ha-sung.

This nickname originated from a sports reporter at *The New York Times*.

“Korea Super Rookie.”

This term, prominently featured in the title, was later relayed to Korea through other reporters.

This indicated significant interest in him from the United States as well.

Just then, a taxi pulled up to the hotel.

“Looks like someone else is arriving. Let’s get ready to film.”

At Baek Jun-ki’s words, Davin took out his camera and prepared to take pictures.

Soon, the taxi stopped, and a man stepped out.

“Huh…….”

Baek Jun-ki exclaimed, surprised by what he saw.

The other reporters also seemed taken aback.

“Senior… Is that really Jung Ha-sung?”

“I… think so?”

It was Ha-sung, whom he had seen just a few months prior.

But the man exiting the taxi possessed a completely different physique.

“How did he get so big?”

Ha-sung’s build was already well-known.

His height and muscular frame made it hard to believe he was only twenty years old.

However, the Ha-sung emerging from the taxi was even more imposing.

It was almost unbelievable that he was Asian.

‘Even with clothes on, you can see the muscles. It feels like his body has gotten bigger, not just more toned.’

People often assume someone who works out is simply in good shape.

However, sometimes you get the impression that the body itself is just naturally big.

This is often seen in elite athletes.

‘Athletes in sports that require explosive power often have bodies like that. Like football players or sprinters.’

Baek Jun-ki was an experienced reporter.

He knew what a closer [a relief pitcher who specializes in pitching the final inning of a game] needed.

That’s why he could tell what Ha-sung was aiming for with his current physique.

‘It’s a body built for a closer. A body designed to unleash energy instantly and throw the best possible pitch.’

To think that Ha-sung, at such a young age, would think so far ahead and prepare so meticulously.

His way of thinking was truly exceptional.

‘The hardware is complete. Is the rest software?’

If the body is the hardware, then mental strength is the software.

Closers are responsible for the entire game, so the pressure is immense compared to other positions.

He wondered if Ha-sung was mentally prepared to handle that pressure.

“Senior! What are you doing? We won’t be able to get an interview at this rate!”

“Huh? Oh, oh!”

Baek Jun-ki hurriedly ran forward when he saw reporters swarming Ha-sung.

* * *

[Jung Ha-sung Arrives at Spring Camp!]

[Super Rookie! Returns with Overwhelming Physique!]

[Jung Ha-sung Becomes the Hulk! Local Reporters React Enthusiastically!]

Articles about Ha-sung flooded the internet.

Accompanied by photos, the public’s reaction was more intense than ever.

-Wow…… his body is amazing.

-You can see the muscles even with clothes on.

-His shoulders are as wide as the Pacific Ocean.

-His physique is incredible.

-He doesn’t even look Asian.

-His physique is truly legendary…….

-Did he get taller than last year?

The reaction to Ha-sung was overwhelmingly positive.

People were particularly excited about his increased muscle mass.

But not everyone was enthusiastic.

-Isn’t his body too big?

-What’s with a pitcher looking like a bodybuilder, lol.

-If his body changes this much, his balance must be off?

-He looks stiff because his muscles have increased.

-A pitcher’s mechanics are delicate, so if the body changes this drastically, the balance is bound to be disrupted.

-So what are you trying to say?

-Ha-sung’s performance will plummet this season.

-I think so too.

Negative opinions from internet experts also surfaced.

Various opinions emerged based on just one photo.

That’s how significant the topic of Ha-sung was.

* * *

Players join spring camp in two main waves.

Pitchers and catchers arrive first, followed by the fielders.

This staggered arrival kept the hotel from being too crowded.

‘As expected, there are quite a few unfamiliar faces at spring camp.’

Ha-sung observed the players passing through the lobby while playing with his new smartphone.

There were familiar faces, but also many he didn’t recognize.

Various players gather at spring camp.

From players already on the Athletics roster to those called up from the minor leagues, and even those invited from outside.

The sheer number of different people made for many unfamiliar faces.

“Ha-sung!”

Just then, a familiar voice called out.

Turning, he saw a welcome face approaching.

“Jack!!”

It was Jack, who he had played with during his time with the Double-A RockHounds.

“Hahaha! This guy! You’re flying high in the Major League? Wow! But why is your body so big?”

“I bulked up a bit. But being here means……?”

“This body is finally making its Big League debut!”

Jack proudly declared, thumping his chest with his fist.

But after sitting next to Ha-sung, he shook his head.

“Haa…… The problem is surviving this camp, though…….”

“Puhaha! Why are your emotions like a roller coaster?”

“It’s my first time. Joining the Big League spring camp.”

Jack was 25 years old.

Joining the Big League spring camp at that age was neither particularly fast nor slow.

Well, it was somewhat slow compared to top prospects.

“Did you come straight up from Double-A?”

“No, I came back after you left. I went up to Triple-A almost immediately.”

“What were your results there?”

“Only 7 games played. The batting average is meaningless, and the only meaningful thing is that I hit 3 home runs?”

Three home runs in seven games.

He could see why Chris, the general manager, had invited him to the camp.

“The team must have invited you to the camp because of your slugging ability.”

“Is that right?”

“Yeah. The Athletics had a weak batting lineup in the ’08 season. So they traded and brought in Matt [likely referring to Matt Holliday, who the Athletics acquired in 2008]. And according to the articles, most of the players invited this year are hitters.”

Jack’s eyes widened.

“You’re only twenty years old, but you’re figuring out things like that?”

“What does age have to do with it?”

“That’s true, but…….”

“It’s just that I need to understand my team to some extent. And you can find out this much by just looking up the articles a little.”

Ha-sung said, examining Jack’s physique.

“Your body seems a bit bigger than when you were in Double-A?”

“Right?”

Jack flexed his biceps and continued.

“I referred to your training a bit. It helped in many ways. In particular, fixing the unbalanced shoulder you told me about made throwing and hitting much easier.”

“Did you keep stretching?”

“Of course. I start with stretching when I wake up.”

“Very good. An unbalanced body can misalign your batting pinpoint. By doing that consistently, you can hit accurately.”

“Wow…… you really know a lot about the mechanics.”

“Well, I studied it in my own way.”

Jack shook his head at Ha-sung’s nonchalant attitude.

“What kind of place is Korea? A pitcher even knows the hitter’s mechanics? Isn’t that country too scary?”

“Haha…….”

Actually, he learned it in the United States.

The training facility he attended emphasized understanding the hitter’s mechanics to effectively train a pitcher.

Thanks to that, he studied the hitter’s mechanics in detail, something he previously had no interest in.

“Anyway, what the Athletics want is not your ability as a catcher, but your ability as a hitter.”

“I guess so? Haa…… I don’t know if I can adapt to the Major League ball.”

“It might be easier than you think.”

“What do you mean?”

“Pitchers don’t throw the ball properly in the early stages of spring camp. In particular, pitchers who will play in the Big League often don’t go all out in exhibition games according to their routine.”

Exhibition games are held at the end of the camp.

Players fall into two categories during these games.

Players who haven’t yet established themselves in the Big League give their all to prove their worth.

On the other hand, players who have already established themselves don’t bother.

They gradually increase their intensity according to their personal routines.

“Ah…… I’ve heard of it. That’s why superstars have bad results in exhibition games.”

“That’s right. There’s no need to break the routine and raise the intensity when it’s certain they’ll join the Big League roster.”

“Hmm…… then should I aim for that moment?”

“That’s right. First of all, your goal is to get on the Big League roster, right? If you make a definite impression, you could be called up in May.”

Jack has never been on the Major League roster.

In other words, his Major League service time hasn’t started.

So, the club doesn’t need to put his name on the opening roster.

If they gradually promote him in May, they can maximize his service time [the amount of time a player spends on a Major League roster, which affects their eligibility for free agency and arbitration].

“Hoo…… it’s difficult. I have to think about too many things. When I was young, I just had to play baseball comfortably.”

“We’re adults, so it’s bound to be difficult. We have no choice but to adapt to it.”

“Haha! Anyone would think you’re older than me.”

“Is that so?”

Ha-sung smiled and continued his conversation with him.

It was fun talking to a friend he hadn’t seen in a long time.

Then, Jack asked, as if suddenly curious.

“But what are you going to do?”

“Huh?”

“You were in the Big League last year. When I saw it, I thought you had settled down enough? Then you can keep your routine and raise your pace, right?”

Ha-sung had similar concerns.

And he had reached a conclusion.

“I haven’t settled down yet.”

“Huh? What do you mean? You’re good enough to be considered a complete Big Leaguer now.”

“It’s only been a month. If my performance drops this season, the general manager will send me down to Triple-A right away, right?”

“Huh…… would he? I’d give you more chances if it were me.”

“It’s not time to stick to my routine yet.”

Many prospects come and go in the Major League.

Some of them perform better than Ha-sung.

But these people also disappear just as quickly.

“This season, I have to become an irreplaceable player on the team.”

“Irreplaceable?”

Ha-sung smiled at Jack’s question.

* * *

The Major League spring camp was a little different from those in Korea.

In Korea, group training is the main focus, while in the Major League, individual training is emphasized.

This is due to the American mindset that professionals are responsible for their own preparation.

In fact, players from Korea or Japan sometimes have trouble adapting to the smaller amount of structured training in the Major League at first.

But Ha-sung was different.

“Hoo! Hoo!”

Understanding the Major League system well, he proceeded with his routine by adjusting the balance between personal and group training.

Since there were no unexpected issues, it was easy to maintain his pace.

About a week passed in this way.

“We’ll start bullpen pitching today.”

The time to showcase his pitching was approaching.