“I’ll become an advocate for my juniors to talk about their worries comfortably.”
The KT Future Team, led by coach Kim Ki-tae, is sweating heavily at the spring camp at the national baseball training ground in Iksan, Jeollabuk-do. After the 1st training in Iksan until the 14th, the 2nd spring camp will be held until March 15th at the Hyundai Dream Ball Park in Busan.
Coach Ki-tae Kim picked outfielder Hong Hyun-bin (25) as the captain to lead the team for a year. Last year, Yang Seung-hyuk took over. 스포츠토토
Hyunbin Hong was from Suwon Shingok Elementary School – Maesong Middle School – Yushin High School and was nominated by kt in the 2nd and 3rd round in 2017. In 166 appearances in his professional career, he had a batting average of .185 with 23 hits, 1 RBI and 24 runs scored.
In the 2022 season, he appeared in 61 games, batting .237 with 18 hits and 1 RBI. He was called by coach Lee Kang-cheol, mainly as a substitute or counter-runner, and also appeared in all 4 games as a substitute for Kiwoom Heroes and semi-playoffs.
Although he has never played a full-time first team season, he is receiving attention from many kt fans and experts as an expected player to lead the kt outfield. His feet are fast, his shoulders are strong, and he has the advantage of being able to play all outfield positions. He also solved his military problems through the Armed Forces Athletic Corps (Sangmu).
Hong Hyun-bin, who met with MK Sports in Iksan on the 7th, said, “I’ve heard a lot of fans say that he is kt’s next-generation leadoff, but he hasn’t achieved that level of performance yet. I have to work harder,” he said.
It is said that he had recommendations from veteran brothers such as Kim Byeong-hee, Shin Bon-gi, and Moon Sang-cheol until he became the captain of the 2nd team.
He said, “His older brothers gave me a recommendation. At first, I said no, but when I thought about it, I thought it would be okay if I did it. I was confident. Also, elementary, middle, and high school all try to make a claim, so it’s not unfamiliar.”
He continued, “Because I have become a captain, I am trying my best not to act in a disgraceful way. Head coach Seo Yong-bin always said, ‘You have to lead by example,’ so I think I’m being brainwashed by that.” After laughing, he said, “Even if I don’t have a perfect attitude to lead by example, I’m trying to show that I can lead the kids.”
Even though it is the Future Team, not the first team, the responsibility of the captain is great. The role of a bridge between seniors and juniors should be good, and the role of a link between the coaching staff and the players should also be played by the captain. You have to learn to take care of everyone, not just yourself.
Hong Hyun-bin said, “There are many juniors under me. I will become an argument that juniors can talk about their worries comfortably. I will do my best to become a captain who helps out when there are difficulties and leads my juniors.”