"I've been there for a day, and Koreans..." Even before playing in the KBO, the 44-homer foreign player in the ML regretted going to KT [Okinawa Station]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz's new foreign hitter Sam Hilliard (32) recalled a day when he was touched by Koreans' affection.

Hilliard said at the 2026 KT spring camp training held at Kushikawa Baseball Stadium in Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 26th of last month, "I systematically exercised a lot before joining the team this season. I think it's because I'm playing in a new environment, but what I prepared seems to come out well during camp. He said, "I'm in a very good physical condition and I'm satisfied with the training result."

In December last year, KT signed a contract with Hilliard for a total of $1 million. Since his big league debut in 2019, Hilliard has shown off his impressive slugging power with a 44-homer slugging percentage of 0.437, in 332 games. "Power and speed are the most attractive players," Charlie Blackman, a teammate from Colorado, told the Denver Post in a 2022 interview. He was even praised for being the most powerful player in our team.

Last year, KT dreamed of joining Hilliard due to the lack of long-distance shots in the team's home run league tied for seventh (104) and ninth (0.369) in the slugging percentage, and quickly completed recruiting Hilliard. Hilliard said, "I knew KBO because there are many Korean players in the Major League and many players who have played in Korea. When I was in the United States, I heard that KT was interested in me, and I had a meal with a scout. "I was strongly impressed that KT wanted me very much, so it was an easy decision for me to decide to go to Korea," he said.

The atmosphere in Korea, which is kind to children to him, a father of two, also helped him decide to go to KBO. Hilliard said, "I heard that KBO teams treat foreign players and their families dearly to players who have played in Korea. The league itself was fun, so he said he would be happy playing baseball in itself.

There was a case where Hilliard directly experienced the affection of Koreans who had only heard about it. After the first camp was held in Geelong, Australia, until Feb. 23, the KT team entered Korea briefly on Feb. 24, stayed there, and then left for Okinawa, Japan, again on Feb. 25. The Korean's affection experienced during that day made me not regret choosing to go to KT.

Hilliard said, "My family will also come to Korea together. I know that Korea is a country that is very safe and has a lot of food to enjoy. "I stayed in Korea for just one day while moving to the camp site, and even within that short time, I experienced a lot of Koreans being considerate of families with young children," he said.

"When I saw it, I felt that Korea is a safe and good environment to raise children. My first child is 3 years old and my wife is pregnant with my second child. My wife really likes to travel and thinks positively about her experiences in new places, so my family is all looking forward to living in Korea," he said.

The number of foreign players returning to the Major League after outstanding performances in Korea is gradually increasing. Hilliard also recognized this part, but for now, he only looked at KT's 2026 victory.

Hilliard said: "I've heard of players like that too. I would be very happy to have the option to have a good season later and go back to Major League Baseball. However, if I focus on that part, I can't focus on what I need to focus on," he shook his head.

"Right now, I want to increase my concentration in training and help the team win each game in as good a physical condition as possible. If my efforts come together one by one and lead to good results, I think I will appreciate that part," he stressed.

KT's club expects Hilliard to become the second Austin Dean (LG Twins), who makes a lot of line-drive hits at a strong batting speed. In fact, Hilliard mainly played center field positions in the Major League with his strong shoulders and good defense. Since he has recognized power, he has ample potential to become the second Mel Rojas Jr. if he only increases his contact and on-base percentage.

Hilliard said, "I can introduce myself as a five-tool player. His feet are fast and his defense has been evaluated as above average so far. Power and contact can also help the team win. "My goal this year is to play every day without getting sick and lead KT to the championship," he said.

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*This content was translated by AI.