The Prodigy Who Rejected the Major League Chapter 21

Episode 21

 

“Number 1, shortstop Yoo Junho.”

“Yes!”

“Number 2, third baseman Oh Jaeseong.”

“Yes!!”

Coach Park Junseok called out the starting lineup for today’s game.

The leadoff hitter was, as usual, senior Yoo Junho.

But batting second, sophomore Oh Jaeseong was in the starting lineup.

And in the third spot…

“Number 3, center fielder Song Seongjun.”

“…Yes?”

“Song Seongjun. Why are you answering like that?”

“I’m starting?”

“Yeah, you punk. You’re starting today, batting third.”

The coach smirked, clearly having expected my reaction.

“Once you go into national team camp, today’s game is your last one, right? The manager says he’s going to use you to the fullest today, so keep that in mind.”

“Ah, yes.”

Coach continued calling the names.

“Number 4, designated hitter Jeong Dongju.”

The designated hitter spot also remained with senior Jeong Dongju.

“Number 5, first baseman Park Seowoo. Number 6, right fielder Choi Seonghu. Number 7, left fielder Eom Jongyeob. Number 8, catcher Choi Minsu.”

From fifth to eighth, they were all sophomores.

“Number 9, second baseman Kim Minjae.”

“Yes!”

“That’s all.”

And the lineup closed with another senior.

“Today, the entire center line is seniors. I put you in the starting lineup to hold the defense steady. You need to set the example. Got it?”

“Yes! Understood!”

Second base, shortstop, me in center field, and the designated hitter…

Four seniors in total.

Our manager… seriously. Not even the first or second round, he really intends to feed experience points to the sophomores.

“Seongjun, today, be more aggressive. Got it?”

Coach called me aside and specifically told me to attack more actively.

So that was why he moved me up to the third spot.

Looking at it again, he stacked ninth–first–third–fourth with seniors.

Even Oh Jaeseong in the two-hole was the most tactically sharp and execution-savvy among the sophomores.

Feed the sophomores experience, but score through the seniors’ line?

If everything goes according to the manager’s plan, it will be perfect. But who knows? Haha.

“Play ball~!”

The game began.

We were the visiting team and batted first.

Crack!

Leadoff hitter Yoo Junho singled to get on base, and immediately the manager signaled a sacrifice bunt to the sophomore batting second.

The runner advanced to second, and then it was my turn at the plate.

…Batting third, center fielder. Song. Seong. Jun~.

With the stadium announcer’s introduction, I stepped into the batter’s box.

The pitcher on the mound was Baek Chanhee.

The ace of Cheongtap High, they said.

They say he can hit the high 140s (km/h).

But that velocity only comes when he twists his entire body and squeezes it out, so it does not mean much.

Realistically, mid-140s.

And I feel a little bad saying this, but…

To me, with much of my Major League feel returning, mid-140s from a high school pitcher was batting practice.

Besides, while our manager called a sacrifice bunt in the first inning, their manager did not order an intentional walk from the start.

Craaaack!

The ball flew and struck the netting at Mokdong Baseball Stadium once again today.

Home run.

“Song Seongjun’s starting scary again from the first inning.”

“Does not even look like he put much power into it. It just sailed out.”

“His swing is clean. No unnecessary tension in his body.”

“Must be nice to be that scout. You managed to hold onto Song Seongjun?”

Applying for the rookie draft was the same as declaring he would stay in Korea.

And since Daegu BaySuns held the first overall pick in the first round this year, it was only natural that they would select Song Seongjun.

“I found out from the article this morning, too.”

“Oh, come on. That makes no sense. Everyone knows your general practically wore down the doorstep at Song Seongjun’s house.”

“You saw the article…. Five million dollars. That is what the Americans offered. About seven billion won. That is money enough to sign at least an A-tier free agent. How do you spend that on a rookie? Our general tried hard to keep Song Seongjun here, sure. But think about it logically. How do you get someone to turn down five million dollars?”

Scout Lee from the BaySuns passionately defended himself in front of the other teams’ scouts.

“True. How did they make him stay in Korea?”

“Even those Americans who like to throw players out there and let them survive on their own… they would not do that with a five-million-dollar player. And five million means they saw massive potential.”

Every word was true.

“Then how did they hold onto him?”

“Feels like an X-file mystery all of a sudden.”

“Could it be…?”

“What?”

“What if he was planning to stay in Korea from the beginning?”

Weighing MLB and KBO was natural.

Some players used MLB interest to negotiate better terms domestically.

“Lipco was involved, too, right? Those Lipco guys are known for playing tricks like that.”

“That is too far. The amount is five million dollars. You test the waters with domestic teams using five million? Does that even make sense?”

“…You are right. Damn, five million. Hahaha.”

Even the scout who raised the suspicion had to admit the premise did not hold.

“So the conclusion is… it is strange. We just do not know?”

The younger scout spoke, and everyone nodded.

“No Korean team can match that offer.”

They all nodded again.

“Did he really just want to stay in Korea?”

“But why?”

 

***

 

[Song Seongjun fighting! Another two-run homer in the first inning today!]

 

┗ Did you go to watch high school baseball again today?

┗ A younger acquaintance of mine is participating.

┗ That younger acquaintance is Song Seongjun, right?

┗ How did you know?

┗ It is obvious. If you pinned that headline and say you are watching a younger acquaintance, of course, it is him lol

┗ You actually believe that? So innocent

┗ True, if you like high school baseball, you start seeing every high schooler as your younger brother lol

┗ We are really close

┗ Then prove it

┗ Show a photo together at least, then we will admit you are a fan lol

┗ Hey, hey, trying to sneak a look at Goguma’s face, huh? lol

┗ I came alone, secretly, today. So I cannot provide proof

┗ Judging by the voice, must be pretty

┗ Hey! We are here for the future of Korean baseball, not ulterior motives… though that does sound nice!

┗ Are you the one who said you attended the 17K shutout against Seongun High?

┗ Yes! That was me! But we won, right? Song Seongjun hit a homer that day, too.

┗ Might be lying about being close, but definitely a real fan

┗ By the way, why is your nickname “Goguma” (sweet potato)?

┗ Because my favorite team fed me so many sweet potatoes. Thought I would choke to death last year.

┗ If you choked last year? Must be one of the 58-win trio fans lol

 

***

 

2–0.

 

Bottom of the first.

With a two-run lead, Kim Hyunsoo took the mound as the starter.

But against Cheongtap High’s leadoff hitter, his control was not sharp.

He gave up a walk, then immediately allowed a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second.

The third batter singled, and one run scored.

However, he induced a double play against the cleanup hitter and ended the inning without further damage.

In the top of the second, we created another chance.

After one out, seventh batter Eom Jongyeob struck out, but on a dropped third strike, the catcher failed to secure the ball. He ran hard to first and survived.

Out, but not out.

Then, on Choi Minsu’s slow, almost bunt-like grounder, the runner advanced to second.

Minsu was thrown out at first for what would normally be the third out, but since the earlier strikeout was a not-out situation, it became the fourth out needed to end the inning.

Then ninth batter, Kim Minjae, punched a clean hit through the hole between third and short.

The runner from second raced home.

3–1.

But Cheongtap High answered again in the bottom of the third.

Two doubles produced one run, making it 3–2.

In the bottom of the fifth, after a leadoff walk and a double play, they followed with consecutive singles and a double to score again.

They tied it 3–3.

“Good work.”

Manager Bae Seonggon came to the mound, perhaps thinking he should have pulled Kim Hyunsoo earlier.

There were five days until the Round of 16, so extending him may have been the mistake. But what was done was done. And it was still tied.

“Jeu, just get this one guy.”

He handed the ball to left-hander Kim Jeu, who retired the next batter to end the fifth.

 

[Top of the 6th – Seongun High at bat]

[Leadoff hitter Song Seongjun: 2 plate appearances, 1 at-bat, 1 home run, 1 walk.]

 

┗ Ah! He is clearly pitching around him again. Walked him in the third, too. Probably walking him again.

┗ lol

┗ Of course, they are pitching around him lol

┗ If you were the pitcher, would you challenge Song Seongjun? lol

┗ But he is the leadoff hitter this inning

┗ If you walk him, runner on first. If you challenge him and get hit, one run.

┗ Wow, straight four-pitch walk! Seriously!

┗ lol this person makes high school baseball so fun to watch

 

Manager Bae signaled a sacrifice bunt for cleanup hitter Jeong Dongju.

But the bunt popped up and failed. One out.

 

┗ Aww! Another bunt! Why does high school baseball bunt so much?

┗ hahahahahaha

┗ Seriously! Runner on base with no outs, and it is an automatic bunt!

┗ High school managers are all timid, that is why lol

┗ It is a bit much in high school

┗ This is not just a bit much

┗ At least high school can say it is student baseball. Our team’s manager is a pro manager and still timid. I am going crazy lol

┗ At least your manager does not treat pitchers like disposable items. Ours grinds them every day, like he does not care about next year

┗ Same here. Even the ‘chase group’ relievers have the most innings lol, and they will not even get a good salary evaluation. I feel so bad ㅠㅠ

 

The discussion about excessive bunting in high school baseball turned into fans venting about their pro teams’ managers.

And at times like this, there is a law of baseball:

When a strategy fails, the next batter gets a hit.

 

┗ Yes! Hit! The failed bunt is such a shame.

 

Park Seowoo singled.

One out, runners on first and second.

 

┗ That is how it goes. Hit right after strategy fails lol

┗ Still only one out. One hit and we can score.

┗ The failed bunt probably jinxed the inning.

 

Sixth batter Choi Seonghu flied out to left. Two outs.

Seventh batter Eom Jongyeob grounded out to second. Three outs.

Top of the sixth over.

 

┗ Ah! Seriously! So frustrating! Cannot even get one more hit!

┗ lol your live commentary is so fun

┗ I am not commenting. I am at the stadium posting in the chat.

┗ You have talent. Try live streaming next time lol

┗ The reactions are surprisingly spicy lol

┗ First time I have seen someone this heated over high school baseball lol

 

***

 

In baseball, if you do not capitalize on your chances, danger comes.

Bottom of the sixth, Cheongtap High at bat.

The leadoff hitter swung at Kim Jeu’s first pitch, clearly hunting one pitch.

Crack!

A well-struck ball flew into the outfield.

And…

User nickname Goguma screamed.

 

┗ Waaa! Ahhhhh!

┗ ?????

┗ What happened?

┗ What?

┗ This is something you have to see in person!

┗ What is it?

┗ Cheongtap’s hitter sent a deep drive to left-center!

┗ It looked completely split the gap, but a diving catch! He caught it! This is insane. You have to see the video!

┗ Wow! Really? Who?

┗ Who do you think? Seongjun caught it!

┗ Now it is just ‘Seongjun’ lol

┗ When someone plays well, your imaginary closeness level rises; that is how it works, lol

┗ I told you, we are really close

┗ Let us just go with that

┗ Yes, let us believe it lol

 

***

 

Kim Jeu, who had closed his eyes thinking it was extra bases the moment it was hit, became confused at the sudden cheers from his team’s dugout and the stands where his parents were sitting.

Only when he saw the opposing runner who had broken for first returning to the dugout with a stunned face did he understand.

“He caught it? He caught that?”

He asked second baseman Kim Minjae.

“Yes! He caught it. Seongjun just flew through the air and caught it. Hahaha.”

“Really?”

His face brightened immediately, and he raised both arms toward the outfield and shouted.

As if noticing, Song Seongjun, brushing dirt from his uniform, raised a hand in response.

“Wow! Whooo!”

Recently, whenever Song Seongjun made a great defensive play, he shouted, “Wow!”

Kim Jeu mimicked him.

For some reason, his confidence surged.

 

***

 

Manager Bae Seonggon wiped his chest in relief.

“Seongjun comes through on defense again.”

Just as defensive coach Hong Seungwoo said.

If that ball had dropped, it would have been at least a double. The momentum of the game might have shifted entirely.

“He only switched to center field a little over a month ago, right? How is he that good?”

“They said he has been taking defensive lessons and practicing on the side for three years.”

“Do you believe that?”

“We have to. He is showing it through results.”

“That is true. I wonder who taught him. Should we send our players there, too?”

“That is not something you just learn. He was simply born with it. Look at his first step. Has he ever misread one? I have not seen it.”

“Neither have I.”

The only explanation was long preparation.

His outfield defense was far too polished. Absolutely not the defense of a beginner.