The important thing in short-term matches is ‘feet’.

Veteran domestic coaches have emphasized “foot rather than bat (hitting)” in short-term matches. This means that in a game where every team establishes the best mound strategy, it is more important to get on base and advance and score points rather than relying on ups and downs. 메이저놀이터

Japan, the center of ‘small ball’ baseball, is also well aware of this. In an interview with ‘Sports Hochi’ on the 7th, Japanese national team coach Hideki Kuriyama was asked, “Do you want Otani and Murakami to bunt?” there is,” he said.

Third baseman Murakami of the Yakult Swallows recorded 56 home runs, 134 RBIs, and a batting average of 0.318 in 141 games last year, setting a new record for most home runs in a season by a Japanese batsman (previous 55). Los Angeles Angels pitching star Ohtani played in 157 games as a hitter last year, recording 34 homers, 95 RBIs, 90 runs, a batting average of 0.273, and an OPS of 0.875.

Although Murakami recorded 12 stolen bases last year, he is a typical big shot, and Ohtani has to run as a pitcher, which means that Japan is desperate to sign them even though he has twice as much physical strength as the others.

Korea also has a heavy duty of fast-footed hitters who can change the flow in short-term matches. Outfielder Park Hae-min (LG Twins), who won the base stealing king for four consecutive years from 2015 to 2018, and infielder Kim Hye-seong (Kiwoom Heroes), who won the base stealing king in 2021, should go out and stir the ground.

Korea’s Byeong-ho Park (kt Wiz) – Tommy Edman (St. Louis Cardinals) – Ha-seong Kim (San Diego Padres) – Jeong Choi (SSG Landers) – Jung-hoo Lee (Kiwoom Heroes) – Hyun-soo Kim (LG Twins) – Seong-beom Na (KIA Tigers) There is a high possibility of setting up the outfield. However, Park Hae-min and Kim Hye-seong can always step up to the ground in the game.

Japan’s ‘Sports Navi’ evaluated the strength of the Korean national team in its analysis column on the 6th, explaining that “long-distance hitters such as Park Byeong-ho, Kim Hyeon-soo, and Yang Eui-ji, as well as fast feet such as Park Hae-min and Kim Hye-seong, have an excellent balance of running and running.” While Japan is also keeping an eye on Korea’s quick feet, it is noteworthy whether they will be able to play a role in priming Korea’s scores in the WBC.