KT manager Lee Kang-cheol wants ‘catcher Kang Baek-ho’? “It suits you best.”

Is ‘Catcher Kang Baek-ho’ not a one-time event but a ‘big picture’ for the KT Wiz? KT coach Lee Kang-cheol seems to want Kang Baek-ho to change his position.

KT is preparing for the 2024 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League KIA Tigers match to be held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon, Gyeonggi-do on the 3rd.

Manager Lee Kang-cheol, who met with reporters before the game, was asked another question about 'catcher Kang Baek-ho.'

Kang Baek-ho wore a catcher's mask in the bottom of the 8th inning when the team was down 1-14 in an away game against the Hanwha Eagles on the 31st of last month. After replacing starting catcher Jang Seong-woo, backup catcher Kim Jun-tae stepped in, and in a situation where there were no special injuries, Kang Baek-ho, who was the designated hitter, took over as catcher.

This was the third time Kang Baek-ho played as a catcher since his professional debut. He appeared as a catcher against Sajik Lotte on April 20, 2019, and against Jamsil Doosan on September 15, 2021, and this game was his first experience as a catcher in 928 days.

Afterwards, Director Lee Kang-cheol said, “I tried it once for no particular reason. He said, “I don’t know if I will use it again in the future,” but on this day, he expressed his intention to be more proactive.

Coach Lee said, “After the Daejeon game, everyone said we looked good together,” and added, “It was the first time I saw (Kang) Baekho smile while playing defense. “He was always nervous when he went on defense or when he came in, but he smiled.” Kang Baek-ho's 'catcher skills' were also highly evaluated. Coach Lee said, “It was only for a moment, but he blocked the missing ball. “It’s been a few years since I left, but it’s not easy to do that,” he said, laughing, adding, “I guess my body is geared towards being a catcher.” Kang Baek-ho himself is not without will. Manager Lee said, “When I first took office (in 2019), I asked him how he felt as a catcher, and he shook his head at that time. He said it as a joke, but when I asked him this time, he said, ‘I will do it if you ask me to.’” However, KT announced that Kang Baek-ho is not completing his catcher training separately. Manager Lee also viewed Kang Baek-ho’s recent change in thinking at bat positively. He said, “In the past, I thought you had to hit hard to go far, but that seems to be changing little by little,” and added, “I am also following through with my batting coach’s order to make contact after 2 strikes. “He seems to be changing little by little, so I’m watching.” Kang Baek-ho will serve as the designated hitter number 4 in today’s game. KT is Bae Jeong-dae (center fielder) - Cheon Seong-ho (second baseman) - Mel Rojas Jr. (left fielder) - Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter) - Hwang Jae-gyun (third baseman) - Jang Seong-woo (catcher) - Cho Yong-ho (right fielder) - Moon Sang-cheol (first baseman) - Kim Sang-soo The lineup was formed in that order (shortstop). 온라인섯다