It’s too good to be true. Noh Soo-kwang (33), the ‘no-tobike’ outfielder released by Hanwha, is determined to extend his career. He’s waiting for another chance and preparing for it.
Noh received a non-re-signing notice from Hanwha on March 24. After the season, he completed all of his reserve training in Seosan to prepare for the next season, but his time with Hanwha came to an unfortunate end.
“I didn’t perform well this year,” Noh said after accepting the decision, “but my body is in good shape. I’ve been working out, and my speed hasn’t dropped. I feel fine running, and I’ve done a lot of batting practice. I think I’m still good enough to play. I didn’t play much in the first team this year, but I kept playing in the second team, and I practiced the same as the juniors,” he said.
After batting 3-for-5 (7-for-20) with a 5-for-5 (.519) slugging percentage in this year’s exhibition games, Noh started the season as the opening day leadoff hitter, but finished the season with a 2-for-2.1 (17-for-77) batting average with 13 walks and a 3-for-6 slugging percentage in 30 games. His last appearance with the first team was as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning against SSG in Munhak on May 14, and he was sent down to the second team on May 15, ending his season without receiving a call-up to the first team.
In the Futures League,
he batted 2 for 9 (34 for 114) with 15 RBI, 22 walks and a 4 for 3 slugging percentage in 39 games. He worked hard and diligently in training, sweating alongside the younger players. Even in the heat of the day, he would take batting practice early in the day. “It was mentally tough, but I kept my head up and thought that my chance would come,” he said.
Although his season has been a disappointment, Noh was once one of the league’s leading Junjok outfielders. After joining Hanwha as a developmental player in 2013, he was traded three times to KIA, SK, 먹튀검증토토사이트 and then back to Hanwha, where he batted .269 with 28 home runs, 220 RBI, 378 runs scored, 237 walks, and 123 stolen bases in 770 games (2348 hits) over 10 seasons in the first team.
In 2018, he had a career-high season with SK, batting .315 (161-for-515) with eight home runs, 53 RBI, 93 runs scored, 48 walks, 25 stolen bases and a 3.8 OPS in 135 games. In 2019, he stole a career-high 27 bases. In June 2020, he was traded back to his hometown team, Hanwha, where he played for three and a half years until this year, but was left disappointed.
“I had a lot of expectations from Hanwha, but my performance was not good, so I can only apologize to the fans who supported me,” Noh said. “If I am given the opportunity to play for another team again, I want to show the kind of hitting and running baseball I can do. I am still confident in that part. I’m just waiting to hear from them and working out privately.”
He will be 34 years old next year, but he still has plenty of life left in him.
Starting next year, the KBO will introduce a “pitch clock” like the Major Leagues, and pitchers will be limited to two pitches per at-bat. If a pitcher fails to get a runner on the third pitch, he will be called out for a walk, so quick players are expected to flourish.
In that regard, it’s no wonder that Noh has been extended. In addition to his quick feet, Noh’s unquestionable work ethic could have a positive impact on the team. We’re curious to see if he’ll be given a new chance after leaving his hometown team Hanwha.