Toronto started official training for the 2023 spring training team on the 17th (Korean time) at the club training facility in Dunedin, Florida, USA. On this day, the pitcher and catcher all joined first, and the fielders joined on the 21st to become a complete camp.
Pitchers and catchers, as well as many fielders, joined the camp first for individual training, and one keyword surrounding Ryu Hyun-jin (36, Toronto) that day was ‘seat’. Although a long time of one year was lost due to elbow surgery, there were still several factors that made it possible to realize that Ryu Hyun-jin’s position in the team was healthy and strong.
It was like that from the team clubhouse locker arrangement. The location and number of lockers is a measure that represents the status of the team as it is. Usually, veteran players with a solid team position are assigned a so-called ‘clubhouse spot’ close to the entrance or shower facility. Ryu Hyun-jin was just such a player. Ryu Hyun-jin’s locker was located on the way to the shower facility, and this seat was very close to the entrance to the ground.
Ryu Hyun-jin’s influence was also felt in the number of lockers he used. There are not enough lockers at the beginning of the camp because not only players on the 40-man roster in the major leagues, but also minor league invited players and key prospects fostered by the team participate in spring training. Almost all players are assigned one locker, but there are a few players in Toronto’s camp who use two lockers. Among pitchers, Ryu Hyun-jin and Kevin Gausman use two.
The amount of personal items that can fit in one locker is limited, so if you have one more, of course, as a player, you can comfortably carry out spring training. It is also a privilege for veterans and key players in the team. 토토사이트
The ‘place within the team’ was also solid. Toronto acquired right-hander Kevin Gausman and left-hander Yusei Kikuchi from the free agent market ahead of 2022. Ahead of this season, he strengthened his starting rotation by acquiring Chris Bassitt, a solid starting resource. Kikuchi and Mitch White compete in spring training for the fifth starter spot.
However, Toronto manager John Schneider asserted that Ryu Hyun-jin’s place would be certain upon his return. Coach Schneider expressed satisfaction with Ryu Hyun-jin’s rehabilitation process on the 17th, saying, “Ryu Hyun-jin was a player who led the team brilliantly in 2020, and was our number one selection in 2021. It’s going to be a huge booster. He’ll definitely be in the rotation.”
There are not many players who can be guaranteed a spot in the major leagues. Even though he missed a year due to injury, there is no other player like that. He has shown a lot of things so far, so it can be said that it is a privilege given only to players who can be expected. Ryu Hyun-jin is such a player. Since he couldn’t run, he thought he would be forgotten little by little from the public eye, but at least all officials in Toronto did not forget Ryu Hyun-jin.