The NC Dinos, a baseball team that recently faced off against MLB's San Diego Padres, have successfully adjusted their batting approach, emphasizing powerful home runs.
In a recent practice game against MLB clubs, the NC Dinos players demonstrated their enhanced skills, especially their batting prowess. The team participated in an intrasquad game, dividing into Blue and White teams, at Tucson Enex Field in Arizona. The White team dominated with a 9-4 victory, showcasing their talent.
The starting pitchers were Shin Min-hyuk for the Blue team and Won Jong-hae for the White team. Won Jong-hae, a promising young pitcher, performed exceptionally well against Shin Min-hyuk, who is considered the top contender among the starting rotation candidates. He allowed only three hits and struck out one batter in two innings.
Won Jong-hae, a right-handed pitcher drafted by NC in the seventh round of the 2024 rookie draft, has yet to make his official first-team debut. Last season, he appeared in 10 games in the Futures League, posting an impressive 1.95 ERA with a 1-2 record and one hold. However, his performance dipped slightly in nine games last year, finishing with a 1-1 record and an 8.26 ERA.
Despite this, Won Jong-hae's outstanding pitching in the practice game earned him the MVP award, fueling excitement for the upcoming season. He attributed his success to the techniques practiced during the second camp, particularly focusing on breaking balls and changeups. Won Jong-hae aims to stay healthy throughout the season, understanding that opportunities with the first team depend on his physical condition.
The game's MVPs also included batters Oh Young-soo and Park Si-won, who led the White team to victory. Both players hit solo home runs and contributed significantly to the team's success. Park Si-won, in particular, expressed his gratitude for being named MVP and credited his coaches for encouraging him to swing confidently. He aims to maintain his improved form and become a valuable asset to the team.
Chun Jae-hwan, a key player last season, received praise for his defensive skills during the game. He aims to consistently perform well this season, building upon his hard work during practice. The game concluded after eight innings, with pitchers being carefully managed to avoid overexertion. Matt Davidson hit a three-run homer for the Blue team.
Unlike other clubs that gather in Okinawa and Miyazaki, Japan, for practice games, the NC Dinos remain in Arizona. While they may lack suitable practice opponents, they will have the opportunity to play against MLB clubs. The team is scheduled to play the San Diego Padres on February 28th and the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, on March 3rd, after facing the Chicago White Sox on March 1st.
