The Lotte Giants signed free agent catcher Yoo Kang-nam, 32, to a four-year, 8 billion won contract ahead of this season. Considering the fact that the team struggled to decide on a starting catcher every season from 2018 until last year, when Kang Min-ho (Samsung Lions) departed, it made sense.
As it turns out, they were not wrong. Lotte currently utilizes three catchers in the first team, including Yoo Kang-nam, five-year veteran Information Geun (24),메이저놀이터 and two-year veteran Son Sung-bin (20). While the experienced Yoo Kang-nam is the undisputed starter in the center of the lineup, he is backed up by the rapidly growing offense and Son Sung-bin, whose strength is his throwing ability. It’s a far cry from the past, when each catcher who wore the mask was unable to show stability.
The unseen competition between the three has also made Lotte’s bullpen even stronger. In the 19 days (Aug. 17-Sept. 6) that Yoo Kang-nam was sidelined with an adductor muscle injury, Lee Jeong-geun proved to be a force to be reckoned with with his fearsome offense. Son Sung-bin also showed his uncharacteristic second-year ambition and became a catcher that can be utilized at any time.
“Right now, Yoo Kang-nam should be the centerpiece and play a basic role, but if something doesn’t work out, Lee Jung-geun and Son Seong-bin can do a good job,” he said before the Ulsan Samsung Lions game on Saturday. They are ready to play at any time.”
“I think the invisible competition is the most important thing,” Lee continued, “Even though Yoo Kang-nam came to us as a free agent, you can feel something when the junior players are doing well in their positions, and that kind of competition is very helpful for the team.” “When I see the junior players doing well, I feel good, too. The atmosphere in the catcher’s circle is really good, so I just need to do well,” he said, welcoming the competition.