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| KT Wiz Almonte beat Solopo in a practice match against the KIA Tigers on the 18th. (Courtesy of KT Wiz) © News1 |
KT Wiz’s new foreign batter Joilo Almonte has revealed that unlike Mel Lohas Jr., he will contribute to the team in his own way.
Almonte started as the 5th designated batter in a practice match against KIA held at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 18th and hit a solo home run leading the team’s 3-1 victory.
Almonte stepped down with strikeouts at the end of the 1st and 4th innings. However, in the 3rd at-bat at the end of the 6th inning, which was tense 1-1, KIA Kim Yoo-shin pulled a 132km fastball and crossed the left wall. The first hit in the second practice match was decorated with a home run.
KT coach Lee Kang-cheol expressed satisfaction, saying, “Almonte is adjusting well” after the game.
Almonte said, “I am happy that a home run contributes to the team’s victory.”
Almonte took a serious lead to fill the void of Lohas, who won the MVP this year.
However, the styles of the two players are different. Lohas was a big hit with 132 home runs in four seasons in Korea, but Almonte is not a home run hitter, but a mid-long range hitter. The sophistication of batting more than 30% in three seasons in Japanese professional baseball is a strong point.
Almonte said, “I know well what result Lohas, who was his predecessor, did for KT,” said Almonte. “I will prepare well so that I can achieve the best results and show what I can show.”
“The record shows, but I’m not a player who hits a lot of home runs. I’ll hit a home run, but I’ll produce doubles and hits. I’ve been in the game with an emphasis on hitting a lot of hits in the at bat, and KT will do that too.” Emphasized.
Almonte, who was introduced to Korean baseball for the first time this year, is also actively communicating with young players, including teammates Kang Baek-ho and Bae Jeong-dae. He said, “I think Kang Baek-ho and Jeon Jeong-dae are players who will play a pivotal role in the team in the next two to three years. We talk a lot about hitting and ask me to do anything to tell me.”
About Kang Baek-ho, one of KT’s central hitters, he said, “I thought it was special even when I saw the video before I actually met. Even when I saw it in the camp, I felt like a’special’ player.”
In the demonstration game starting on the 20th, Almonte will also play as an outfielder. If Almonte plays a role in the defense, KT can build a stronger lineup.
Almonte said, “We are improving our adaptability to outfield fly and ground balls. We are getting better in condition. We are in the stage of adapting to a new stadium. In the future, we are focusing on adapting well every time we go to a new stadium.”
Meanwhile, KT finished the spring camp schedule with the game on this day. KT will begin a demonstration game against the Doosan Bears on the 20th.