"Did WBC put down the burden?" Korean Witcom exploded in Houston with a batting average of 500 after returning [an MLB exhibition game]

*This content was translated by AI.

Was it too much pressure to do well. Shay Witcom (27, Houston Astros), who participated in the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) as a Korean-American, has returned to his team and is flying much higher.

Witcom played a great role in the 2026 Major League Baseball (MLB) exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Lecombe Park in Bradenton, Florida, on the 18th (Korea time), with two hits, one stolen base, and two RBIs and one run from three times at bat.

Witcom, who had been to the national team, hit a double and scored an RBI in the game on the 16th, and this time, he made a multi-hit and stole bases, making a clear impression.

Witcom, who joined Houston in 2020 with a fifth-round pick, is still a player who has only played 49 games in the big league. However, it was different in the minor leagues. He showed a solid slugging power enough to hit 127 home runs in five seasons, and hit 35 home runs in 2023 to become the home run king.

Wittcom, who got the opportunity to participate in the WBC due to the presence of his Korean-born mother, said in an interview with ML.COM ahead of his WBC appearance, "The special reason for this WBC is for my mother. This is because I can honor and repay my mother by participating in the competition. That's why, to be honest, it's a more special experience," he said.

He also added, "Everything will be unfamiliar without communication, but I'm so excited to be able to play baseball in an atmosphere I've never experienced before."

His mother also visited the stadium and cheered for Whitcomb's performance. Witcom, who was active in the first round of the group league against the Czech Republic, hit consecutive home runs in the third and fifth innings, said, "My mother always sends me a message. My mother must have been happy with my performance, but it's a good thing. I'm very happy to play in front of my mother and play for Korea. In fact, I haven't contacted my family, but if I have a chance, I would like to share the joy by hugging (my mother)."

However, he failed to continue his performance afterwards. He had only one hit in the remaining four games and failed to support the Dominican Republic in the quarterfinals, which was eliminated due to a 0-10 cold game loss. In the end, he hit 0.214 (3 hits in 14 at-bats) in five games, two homers, one walk, five strikeouts, three RBIs, two runs and an on-base percentage of 0.267. He hit a slugging percentage of 0.714 and an on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.981 due to two home runs, but he left a regret as he did not show much strength except against the Czech Republic.

However, he has completely changed after joining his team. In particular, his performance on this day was remarkable. Wittcomb hit Mitch Keller's first pitch sinker at 92.9 miles per hour in the top of the first inning and hit a timely RBI single to bring the third baseman home. He then immediately stole second base.

Witcom, who returned to the batter's box in the top of the third inning when his teammates' consecutive home runs exploded, stepped down with a fly ball to left field on Keller's center sweeper at a ball count of 1-1.

In the fifth inning, he added an RBI single by sending an 89-mph cutter to right field with one out and the bases loaded with one out. Wittcomb, who later played to third base on Cavan Vizio's hit, dug home on Christian Vazquez's heavy hit. Later, he was replaced by Jack Winkler in defense in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Witcom, who had only one hit in seven at-bats in three exhibition games before joining the national team, is flying higher with three hits and three RBIs in six at-bats since his return.

Expectations are growing that he will establish himself as a key hitter for Houston this season.

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*This content was translated by AI.