The forgotten genius is silently drawing a revival. Lim Byeong-wook (27, Kiwoom), who received greater expectations than Kim Ha-seong (San Diego) at the time of joining, is preparing for the season fiercely to return to the first team after three years.
Lim Byeong-wook, who joined the pros as the first nomination in 2014, received great expectations that he would become a large outfielder as a so-called ‘5-tool player’ at the time. In fact, starting with 40 games in 2015, his first professional season, Lim Byung-wook recorded a batting average of 0.249 / 8 home runs / 24 RBIs / 17 stolen bases in 104 games in 2015, gradually showing his potential as a hotta Jun.
However, injuries held back Lim Byeong-wook throughout. He only appeared in 21 games in 2017 due to an elbow injury and other factors. Then, in 2018, finally, in 134 games, he recorded a batting average of 0.293 / 13 homers / 60 RBIs / 16 stolen bases / on-base percentage of 0.327 / slugging percentage of 0.468, and it seemed that all of his potential was finally blooming.
However, Lim Byung-wook’s performance dropped significantly with a batting average of 0.243/41 RBI the following year in 2019, and he could hardly show his long hitting power, which was an advantage. In the end, in 2020, due to overlapping hamstring injuries and others, he played only 12 games.
Afterwards, Lim Byeong-wook, who performed his military service in the Sangmu National Army Sports Unit, showed off his good health with a batting average of 0.304/6 home runs/32 RBIs in 41 games as a member of the Futures League of the Sangmu Baseball Team last year, raising expectations for his post-discharge performance. However, he was unable to join the first team after being injured again before being discharged.
He is in a situation where he has to compete for a spot in the outfield without a guaranteed spot this season. That’s why he is in the middle of diligent preparation for the season. Lim Byung-wook, who we met at Incheon International Airport before leaving for Arizona, said, “I made a good body. He lost fat and increased his muscle mass. He is well prepared to play baseball in spring camp,” he said of his current condition. He had a solid body that could not be hidden even under his suit.
His injury has recovered well. Lim Byung-wook said, “I think I’m on the right track now. I wish I could grow more, but I think my physical condition has recovered to 100%.” I will think of it in the sense that I will make it as well as I have chosen, and I will work hard.”
Kiwoom Heroes coach Hong Won-ki announced a plan to decide through competition for a spot in the outfield, excluding right fielder Lee Hyung-jong, who newly joined as a Futures free agent after center fielder Lee Jeong-hu. 메이저사이트
Lim Byeong-wook said, “It’s not my field to get involved in, and nothing will change, so I’m going to do my best in this situation and do it silently for one season.” .
So, I have a personal theme for the camp and this season. It is ‘diligence and sincerity’.
Lim Byung-wook said, “I chose ‘diligence’ as my personal theme for this season. As you all know, isn’t it the hardest? So, I set the most difficult goal this season, and I try to have the same mindset throughout the camp before the season.”
Is it a theme related to the fierceness of the team, such as the long hiatus and the potential that was not shown in the first team?
Lim Byung-wook nodded, “You can see that. There are a lot of emotions, and it seems that there is a part of me that has grown through those things,” he said.
So, there is no specific goal. I just hope that I will get good results through the process of working hard and sweating in silence while staying healthy throughout the season.
Will the genius forgotten by the public be able to spread his wings again in the first team? It looks like it will be a very important 2023 season for Lim Byung-wook.