A late-career catcher who was once on the verge of retirement has earned back-to-back salary increases after passing a tryout. This is the story of Ahn Seung-han (32, Doosan Bears), who has risen from a championship team release to a prominent member of the Bears’ catching dynasty.

According to Doosan’s 2024 roster salary announcement on Sept. 9, backup catcher Ahn Seung-han signed a contract for the 2024 season worth 55 million won, a 22.2 percent ($10 million) increase from last year’s 45 million won. After passing the Doosan Entry Test before the 2022 season and signing a contract for 37 million won ($37,000) per year, he will receive his second consecutive salary increase after earning 45 million won in 2023.

“I’m so grateful that the club has been so good to me during every salary negotiation,” said Ahn, who recently met with the club in Sydney, Australia, 토토사이트 추천 the first spring training camp. “This year, I have to repay the club’s faith. I may not be able to fully fulfill their expectations, but I have to try to come close,” he said, explaining the weight of his 55 million won annual salary.

Ahn Seung-han was called a promising catching prospect as a rookie.

He was drafted by KT Wiz in the 2014 rookie draft out of Chung-Ango-Dong-Ah University. However, his wings were cut short by injuries in his first year. He was diagnosed with a slap, an injury to the upper labrum of the shoulder, while running to second base in the Futures League. After rehabilitation, he joined the Japanese spring training the following year, but the shoulder pain returned and he fulfilled his military service obligation as a social service worker.

After being released from the national team in October 2017, Ahn made an emotional first-team debut for Daegu Samsung Electronics on June 14, 2019, in Lee Kang-chul’s first year as head coach. However, he failed to make much of an impact that year, going 1-for-36 with five RBIs in 36 games, and bounced around the second team for two years before being released at the end of the 2021 season, when KT won the overall title.

Ahn Seung-han extended his career in December 2021 by passing Doosan’s tryout. He was saved from retirement and signed a contract for 37 million won per year. After being called up to the first team in the summer, he showed his stability in the offense and made a name for himself among Doosan fans. In just 30 games, Ahn made a strong impact with a batting average of 3-for-3 with eight RBIs.

Last year, in his second year with Doosan, Ahn only played in 22 games.

His numbers were also disappointing, going 2-for-8 with one RBI and one run scored. But it wasn’t all about the numbers. As he did in 2022, he played a big role in boosting team morale with his vocal battles in team drills and the dugout, and he did his part as the third catcher behind Yang Ji and Jang Seung-hyun on defense. That’s why Ahn’s salary was increased by 10 million won despite his poor record.

“Every year, I approach spring training and the regular season with the idea that this is my last time. “I also try to be loud on the field and in the dugout. In a way, that can be one of my strengths. I’m just grateful that the club sees it as a good thing,” he said of his second consecutive salary increase.

“I am always grateful and thankful to my wife. There were many difficult times, but she stood by my side and gave me strength. Thanks to her, I feel like this day has come. I’m very lucky to have her,” and shared the joy of settling in Doosan with his wife. Ahn Seung-han married in December 2022 after eight years of dating.

Ahn Seung-han is also on the audition list for the second catcher position behind Yang Ji Woo this year, competing with Jang Seung-hyun and Kim Ki-yeon. “It’s not a situation where (Yang) Ji-won can play full-time, and we have a good catcher in (Jang) Seung-hyun, so it won’t be easy to compete, but if I can’t be No. 2, I have to be No. 3. If I start at No. 3, if it goes well, I can become No. 2. We are all competing in good faith,” he said.

Ahn Seung-han, in his third year with Doosan,

has set himself another goal in addition to establishing himself in the first team. He wants to hit a home run, a feat that has eluded him for 10 years since his professional debut in 2014.

“I don’t have a home run yet,” Ahn said. That’s why I’ve been batting a lot in Australia. My coaches and my brothers are telling me that I should hit a home run this year,” he said, adding, “One easy home run for someone is really important to me. I’m training hard for that one. I hit one in the second team, but I really want to hit one in the first team this year,” he said.

After a series of injuries, slumps, and releases, Ahn has finally been recognized as a legitimate member of the Doosan catcher’s kingdom. 카지노사이트 He has received a salary increase for the second year in a row, but he is not satisfied. As always, he feels like this is his last year and wants to contribute to the team in any way he can.

“Compared to two years ago, it’s a life reversal. But we need to turn it around a bit more. “I want to stay in the first team this year, and I will try to play a lot of games in the first team without getting injured,” he said, adding that he is looking forward to the 2024 season.