"Billion-dollar annual salary right after being discharged from the military..." A talent that ML also coveted, full bloom at Lotte for the first time in five years → dream of becoming the first baseman of the resignation sign
"Billion-dollar annual salary right after being discharged from the military..." A talent that ML also coveted, full bloom at Lotte for the first time in five years → dream of becoming the first baseman of the resignation sign
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A player who once envied Major League Baseball has finally achieved a salary worth hundreds of millions of dollars in his fifth year as a pro. Na Seung-yeop of the Lotte Giants aims to become the flagship first baseman of Sajik Stadium, which is worth hundreds of millions of dollars in annual salary.
According to Lotte Giants' announcement on the renewal of major players' salaries for the 2025 season announced last month, Na has signed a contract with 120 million won, a 200 percent increase from the previous 40 million won. It was the first time that he had achieved his first ever salary since joining the professional league as the 11th ranking in the second round of Lotte in 2021.
"The club took great care of me, so I signed my seal right away," Na said. "Billion-dollar annual salary is the goal of every professional player, but I didn't expect it to happen right after I was discharged from the military. I feel more responsible. As I get paid more, I will do better this year than last year."
"There is no satisfaction. Of course, you may be satisfied based on your records, but you should think that you are not satisfied and try not to be worse than last year," he added.
Na Seung-yeop signed a temporary contract with the Minnesota Twins of the Major League Baseball, showing off his extraordinary batting talent when he was a Deoksu player, but he was nominated by Lotte in the rookie draft in 2021 and made a U-turn to the KBO League with a down payment of 500 million won.
In his first year of debut, Na Seung-yeop had a bitter taste with a batting average of 204 and two home runs and 10 RBIs in 60 games, and then fulfilled his military service obligations early on to the Armed Forces Sports Unit (Sangmu). In the Futures League, where he participated in the Sangmu uniform, he continued to grow with a batting average of .300 in 2022 and a batting average of .312 in 2023 and continued his momentum with a batting average of .312 in 121 games with seven home runs, 66 RBIs and an OPS of .880 in the first division along with last year's discharge.
Not only that, Na Seung-yeop also joined the national baseball team led by head coach Ryu Joong-il and went to the 2024 Premier 12 with the national flag. 스포츠토토
"When I went to the Premier 12, I saw a lot of players who were good at baseball. That's why I was even more nervous. I got goosebumps when the national anthem was played, and I definitely felt more patriotism," Na said. "If I can play on such a big stage again, I would like to play for the national team anytime."
Na Seung-yeop's goal is to become a perfect first baseman in offense and defense only when he makes as much impact as last year's hit in defense this year.
Na said, "I don't think we have enough defense, but they gave us a prize at the Korea Professional Baseball Association award ceremony. Thank you so much, and we will try our best to make sure there are no mistakes in defense." 스포츠토토
Regarding the batting performance, he said, "I have high expectations because the fence around the stadium has been lowered, but I'm not going to be greedy for home runs. I'm only thinking about increasing my batting average."
The Dong-A Ilbo asked first baseman Na Seung-yup about his ultimate goal of the spring camp. "I have to work hard in the camp to display good performance from the beginning of the season. I don't try to do anything rough in the beginning," he said. "I will work really hard and do my best in the exhibition game to elevate my body quickly."