Speedy Ji Hwan Bae learning benefits of slowing it down in field, at plate for Pirates

BRADENTON, Fla. — Where Ji Hwan Bae attracted attention for his speed as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Pirates, whether it was stealing bases or chasing down fly balls, he is learning the benefits of slowing down.

The Pirates had Bae split time between second base and center field last season to take advantage of his fast legs, and switching from the infield to the outfield taught him that he had more time to react.

“I feel like I need to slow it down in center,” Bae said. “At second base, I feel like I don’t have that much time. I’ve got to field it and throw it. In the outfield, I have more time than I expected. The first thing is, slow down, read it, track it with the situation.”

Bae is taking a similar approach at the plate after batting .191 against breaking pitches and .208 against off-speed stuff and slashing a pedestrian .231/.296/.311 with 17 doubles, two triples, two home runs and 32 RBIs in 111 games. He missed almost all of July with a left ankle sprain that sapped some of his speed and crushed his confidence.

“Somehow, I need to get on base. I need more walks. I need less strikeouts. I need more contact in the air,” said Bae, who had 92 strikeouts but drew only 30 walks. “I changed my swing a little bit, trying to lean back a little bit because my natural move is moving forward at 100 mph. I want to stay back. I’m still getting used to it.”

To Pirates manager Derek Shelton, there’s a definite distinction between Bae slowing down in the field and at bat.

“Yeah, I think it’s two different things,” Shelton said. “In the outfield is just the reads, because he can get going, his motor can get going so fast, so quick. It’s just making sure that he reads the ball. At the plate, he had two walks (Wednesday), he had good at-bats. It’s just he wants to go out and attack the ball, and we need him to make sure that he stays behind the ball a little bit more consistently.”

Where Bae has found slowing down to be most beneficial, however, is off the field. Suspended 30 games in 2019 after his conviction in South Korea of assaulting a former girlfriend, he vowed to become a better person and better player upon making his major league debut.

Last month, Bae got married.

“I’ve got one more person to take care of,” Bae said of his wife, Elly. “I’ve got family. Family always meant back home, but I’ve got her in the States with me. I feel like I have my person in the States. That’s huge.”

Bae is open to making more changes if the Pirates want him to switch positions. He played almost as many games in center field (62) as he did at second base (64), where he started on Opening Day at Cincinnati. At his exit interview last year, Bae asked if the Pirates viewed him as a second baseman or center fielder. Their answer: both. Bae said he doesn’t have a preference which position he plays, as both are up the middle so the ball is coming to him from similar angles.

Despite his plan to slow down, Bae still wants to play fast.

Although he added some muscle in the offseason, Bae was careful not to do so at the expense of his speed. And, after leading the Pirates with 24 stolen bases last season, he believes he can become a bigger threat on the basepaths and on defense in chasing down fly balls.

“A line drive right at me or over my head, even with the speed, it’s still tough for every center fielder,” Bae said. “I want to make those plays that the other players can’t make. That’s my goal. Sometimes, I need to slow it down. Sometimes, I’ve got to …”

Bae slapped his hands together and shouted, “Wham!”

“I feel comfortable, obviously,” Bae said. “Getting more playing time gives me more confidence. I’m just trying to be in the lineup.”