"I feel I've got it." National team catcher ahead of AG, batting average surges vertically from 0.223 in the first half to 0.345 in the second half! What exactly has changed? [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I feel I've got it."

SSG Landers catcher Jo Hyung-woo (24) is showcasing his sharpened batting skills ahead of the 2026 Aichi·Nagoya Asian Games (AG). It's not just that his bat has come alive. As he gradually resolved concerns about pitch framing and pitch selection, the confidence gained from his defense has begun to carry over into his hitting.

On the 12th, Jo Hyung-woo started at catcher and batted eighth in a home game against Lotte Giants at Incheon SSG Landers Field during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season. He went 1-for-3 with two RBIs and one run scored, leading SSG to a decisive 9-1 victory.

This marks five consecutive games with a hit. Within just four games in August, he has already recorded five RBIs. In the second inning's first at-bat, with one out and runners on first and third, he drove in a run with a ground ball. In the fifth inning, he hit an infield single and scored at home. In the sixth inning, with one out and runners on first and third, he added another RBI with a significant sacrifice fly to center field.

Batting metrics have changed significantly since the second half began. Jo Hyung-woo has posted a .345 batting average (19 hits in 55 at-bats), four home runs, and 12 RBIs over 17 games in the second half. His season batting average has risen to .251. Compared to his first-half stats of .223 (42 hits in 188 at-bats) across 61 games, this represents a sharp vertical increase.

Jo Hyung-woo identified a small change in his pre-swing routine as the turning point for his resurgence. Meeting with StarNews after the game, he said, "I think I've started to feel better since the first game of the second half. I didn't make any major changes, but I found a key point in something I had been preparing for throughout the season that was slightly off."

Specifically, it involved hand positioning. Jo Hyung-woo explained, "The key was preparing to start immediately by pulling my hands back slightly. After doing that, I could better see how to approach pitchers based on their tendencies. Having confidence in how to face each pitcher when stepping into the batter's box has also been helpful."

The manager's perspective differed. Manager Lee Sung-yong of SSG, whom Jo met before the game, believed that reduced pressure as a catcher had translated into greater comfort at the plate.

Manager Lee stated, "I don't think his hitting mechanics have changed significantly; rather, I believe the psychological aspect is more important. There's also an effect from our starters pitching well." He added, "(Jo) Hyung-woo spent the entire first half thinking about and studying pitch framing and pitch selection. Since the second half began, we've seen many quality starts, and as the concerns he had were resolved, it seems he has been able to step into the batter's box more comfortably."

In fact, SSG's pitching mound has found stability since the second half. The team ranks third in the league with an ERA of 4.21, while their starting pitchers' ERA is just 3.53 (third in the league). New foreign pitcher Pedro Avila (30) has joined the rotation, and rookie Kim Min-jun (20) is also exceeding expectations as a starter. At the center of it all, Jo Hyung-woo is drawing out the strengths of his pitchers.

Jo Hyung-woo himself feels that defense and hitting influence each other. He agreed with the manager's view, saying, "In baseball, when one aspect goes well, you can feel more at ease in other areas as well." He continued, "Conversely, since results are coming from the batter's box, I can play defense with more confidence and ease. It seems there are positive factors across multiple dimensions."

The part that Manager Lee particularly emphasized is Jo's growth as a catcher. He stated, "For catchers, offense is important, but defense is extremely important. I always consider hitting to be a bonus." He added, "I hope this year's experience becomes an even greater catalyst for (Jo) Hyung-woo's growth."

The process also involved consistent study and discussion. During games, SSG engages in conversations with Jo Hyung-woo about pitch selection, and after games, they create time for players to exchange opinions directly.

Manager Lee explained, "After games, we have about an hour of training. I told (Jo) Hyung-woo to talk extensively with the battery coaches and other players. About 30 minutes of that time is spent without coaches present, allowing only players to discuss. The next day, we revisit those topics again with the performance analysis team and coaches." He added, "There is no single correct answer for pitch selection or baseball in general. However, as we continue through this process, we can see him growing."

For Jo Hyung-woo, who is in his second full season this year, the first half was not easy. As the team struggled early in the season, Jo, as the starting catcher, shouldered significant pressure. However, through trial and error, he has grown step by step as a catcher, and since the second half began, that stability has translated into improved hitting performance.

That is why Manager Lee highly valued Jo Hyung-woo's presence in SSG's second-half turnaround. He praised, "Our team was falling apart early in the season, so (Jo) Hyung-woo must have had a very difficult time. There are many reasons we were able to rebound in the second half, but I believe the MVP hiding behind it all is Hyung-woo."

Jo Hyung-woo's growth is also encouraging for the Korean national team, as he has been selected alongside Kiwoom Heroes' Kim Geon-hee (22) as one of only two catchers for the Asian Games to be held this September. Jo stated firmly, "Certainly, my recent batting feel has been good, but I also feel like I've taken a step up in hitting. Since the first game of the second half, I've felt good about it, and I will continue to maintain that momentum."

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*This content was translated by AI.