Cho Hyeong-woo (21, SSG), a promising SSG catcher, is happy every day these days.
Cho Hyung-woo, who was nominated for SK (predecessor of SSG) at the time in the 2nd round of the 2021 rookie draft, played in 9 games (2 starting games) last year. His performance was 0.167 with 1 RBI and 2 runs scored, but his strong physical condition, such as his height of 187 cm and weight of 95 kg, caught the eye with accurate catches and throws.
SSG 메이저놀이터 was worried about the catcher position this year. Lee Jae-won, who had been wearing a catcher’s mask, was clearly on the decline, and Kim Min-sik, the backup, was not very good. Last winter, SSG tried to find a catcher, but failed to reinforce it.
Naturally, the opportunity comes to Cho Hyeong-woo. Cho Hyeong-woo is included in the opening entry and is gradually expanding his position. He has already played in 11 games until the 11th this year, and he wore a starting catcher mask on 7 of these occasions. His batting performance is 0.148 with 1 home run, 3 RBIs and 3 runs scored, but he delights the first team coaching staff with a more upgraded lead and defense than last year.
When SSG coach Kim Won-hyung meets with reporters at the dugout before the game, he praises him, saying, “Cho Hyung-woo is doing well without any major problems.” The highly rated bat also fired his first home run against KT on the 2nd of this month, and on April 29th, his first multi-hit. Insiders rate his qualities as an offensive catcher more highly. Cho Hyung-woo had 10 out of 19 hits during his senior year of high school with long hits (2 homers, 8 doubles). SSG hitting coach Lee Jin-young said, “He actively swings the bat in his at-bat, and his batting talent is excellent.”
Of course, the catcher’s defense is more important. SSG is working hard to raise ‘Experience’ to Cho Hyeong-woo recently. In particular, he is working with key starting pitchers such as left-handed ace Kim Kwang-hyun and foreign pitchers Kirk McCarty and Oh Won-seok. Coach Kim expected, “There will be trial and error, but there will be many things that we feel while communicating with our main pitchers.” The seniors around him are also proud of Cho Hyeong-woo, who is growing up strong. Kim Min-sik and Lee Jae-won, who compete for catcher, always say, “You’re doing well.”
Cho Hyeong-woo was named in the preliminary entry for the Hangzhou Asian Games announced by the KBO on the 28th of last month. The KBO Power Reinforcement Committee, which is looking for a ‘young catcher in his twenties’, is also paying attention to Cho Hyung-woo’s performance.
Cho Hyeong-woo is still confused. Cho Hyeong-woo waved his hand, saying, “I feel that he is still lacking in karate and defense.” He continued, “It is important to show how much I have in the first team, but there is still a lot to learn from the mental part and power analysis. I am receiving help from the front desk and coaches in many ways.” At the same time, Cho Hyeong-woo said about his goal this season, “I want to stay in the first team for as long as possible.” “If I do my best every day, good results will come and I think I will become a good catcher. I will show it through my actions rather than words,” he said.