On the 31st, Hanwha was sent as a catcher at the end of the game against KIA on the 3rd, and framing has disappeared due to the introduction of ABS, so there are concerns about changing the position.

KT Wiz Kang Baek-ho (25)'s 'turn to catcher' looks like it is becoming a reality.

Kang Baek-ho played catcher for the second time this season in the KIA Tigers game held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 3rd.

He started as the designated hitter that day and wore a catcher's mask starting in the top of the 8th inning when the team was down 1-5. He blocked the 8th inning without allowing a run with relief pitcher Gyu-min Woo, and finished the 9th inning with a three-way strike with pitcher Seon-woo Lee.

Baek-ho Kang made a surprise appearance as a catcher in the game against the Hanwha Eagles on the 31st of last month. KT entrusted Kang Baek-ho, who was the designated hitter, to the plate in the bottom of the 8th inning when the team was losing 1-12. Kang Baek-ho played the role of catcher without any problems.

With the appearance of 'Catcher Kang Baek-ho' twice in four days, the possibility of Kang Baek-ho's position changing is also gaining momentum. KT coach Lee Kang-cheol also said about catcher Kang Baek-ho, “He wasn’t nervous and played well. He gave a positive evaluation, saying, “He catches the ball well and has a good arm.”

Kang Baek-ho played as a catcher and pitcher during his days at Seoul High School and made a name for himself as a promising player. In the 2018 KBO rookie draft, he was selected by KT as the first pick in the second round. However, after joining the pros, he played as first baseman and outfielder to strengthen his hitting ability.

Until last year, there were two games in which he was substituted as a catcher. He also wore a catcher's mask at the end of the game against the Lotte Giants on April 2, 2019, and against the Doosan Bears on September 15, 2021. However, at that time, all the catchers in the entry list were exhausted, so Baek-ho Kang, who had experience as a catcher in high school, was inevitably brought in. Even though this was not the case this year, Manager Lee used Kang Baek-ho as catcher twice. This can be interpreted as the club considering the position of Kang Baek-ho. The introduction of the Automatic Pitching System (ABS), also known as the 'robot referee', is giving strength to Kang Baek-ho's position change. With the introduction of ABS, which determines strikes by measuring the trajectory of the ball, this season, framing, where the catcher makes the ball look like a strike with a technical catch, has lost much meaning. As the importance of framing in evaluating a catcher's value has disappeared, the barrier to entry for becoming a catcher has also been lowered. Coach Lee also said during his exhibition game, “Framing had no meaning. “Now we need a catcher who is good at blocking and throwing,” he said. KT has veteran catcher Jang Seong-woo, but the catchers who will succeed him are not outstanding. If Kang Baek-ho takes over as catcher, the team can solve a big problem. If Kang Baek-ho, who is playing as the designated hitter this year, wears the catcher's mask, the other players on the team can take turns playing the designated hitter to allocate stamina, which is also an effect that KT can enjoy. However, in order for Kang Baek-ho to completely transform into a catcher, there are more things he needs to take care of to show a 'professional' appearance, such as mixing balls and fighting moves with batters. 고스톱