The Genius Hitter Who Conquered America - Chapter 16

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 16
Crack!
Sensing the home run the moment the bat connected, I began circling the bases at a leisurely pace.
With each step, I felt the air itself transforming around me.
The space that had been silent as a tomb moments before now erupted with murmurs and gasps of astonishment.
‘Exhilarating.’
A surge of exultation bubbled up from the depths of my chest.
How long had it been since I felt an emotion like this?
This was no imitation of someone else’s method that didn’t suit my body.
It was the fruit of trusting myself and swinging with conviction.
I suppressed the emotions threatening to burst forth and steadied myself.
The moment the KBO released me, when everyone said it was over.
A thrilling sensation swept through my entire being, as if obliterating all that sorrow in a single stroke.
This was undoubtedly a result I could only achieve by refusing to surrender until the very end.
As I crossed home plate, Mark, who had rushed forward from the batter’s box, extended his fist.
His body was practically vibrating with excitement as he came to meet me.
“Insane! The moment you made contact, it was a guaranteed home run!”
“Thanks. Go hit one yourself.”
Mark scoffed as if it were obvious.
“You already half-killed the pitcher? Piece of cake.”
That was when it happened.
From the Dugout, Kevin, the Dodgers Farm Director, gestured to me.
“Come over here for a moment!”
I nodded readily and headed toward Kevin.
Kevin made me a proposal.
“I think we can call it a day here.”
Today was both the test day and the final day.
The game hadn’t even ended yet, and he was suggesting we stop.
For me, having already recorded a triple and a home run, this was unmistakably a positive signal.
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Yes, I understand. Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. Rest in the Dugout.”
I sat on the Dugout bench and removed my helmet.
As my heart, which had been racing wildly from adrenaline, gradually settled.
A cool rationality emerged above the burning exhilaration.
Kevin’s words sounded unmistakably like a passing signal.
But was it really?
‘No, don’t get ahead of myself.’
Today’s test was meant to prove whether my potential—which the KBO had deemed exhausted—
truly deserved a place on this stage.
I leaned back deeply against the chair’s backrest.
The scorching California sun and the rough breathing of other prospects who had staked everything on this moment made it all feel devastatingly real.
This place had no room for pity or sympathy.
Only skill served as the sole credential.
There was no room for complacency.
‘Still, I’ve shown everything I have to show. If I’m not selected despite that, then this is where my baseball ends.’
But.
I harbored no regrets.
It was different from my past, when I’d done nothing but regret ever since becoming a professional.
That’s why now I could accept any result with equanimity.
Next came Mark’s turn at the Batter’s Box.
He hit a home run against a wavering Pitcher.
For Mark too, that at-bat became his final one.
When Mark returned to the Dugout, he extended his fist to me once more.
“Let me make a guarantee….”
Tap.
I touched Mark’s fist and hastily opened my mouth.
“No. Don’t. Bad luck.”
“I don’t care. I’m going to do it. I don’t know what other players will show or how many roster spots are available… but at least if we don’t pass, nobody else will either.”
It was truly so.
Today’s test could produce a flood of passing candidates, or conversely, not a single one.
But Mark was saying he had the right to be confident.
Because no one would record better results than me today.
* * *
Inside a Conference Room within the Dodgers Glendale Training Complex.
Behind the thick door sat Farm Director Kevin, Frank Lambert, Minor League Coaches, and analysis team members around a circular table.
The table was covered with reports and analytical data from today’s prospects who had taken the test.
A palpable tension hung in the Conference Room.
It couldn’t be otherwise—this was where a player’s future was being decided.
Farm Director Kevin spoke first.
“Well then, let’s wrap this up. We have exactly two players worth signing this time. First, Mark Williams.”
When Mark’s name was called, Alan Powell, Frank Lambert’s assistant, displayed his report on the tablet screen.
Tryout records and today’s defensive performance, throwing accuracy.
And batting data were all organized clearly.
“Mark Williams. High School Invitational MVP from his high school days. Right-handed batter, right-handed thrower, First Baseman. Today he went 2-for-2 with 1 home run, capitalizing on both chances.”
One of the Minor League Coaches praised Mark’s performance.
“This guy definitely has the potential.”
Farm Director Kevin looked at Frank Lambert.
“Frank. If not for his injury history, this player would have been a certain first-round pick. And you also gave him high marks in your scouting report. After watching today’s test, has anything changed your assessment?”
Frank shook his head.
“I still think Mark possesses power and batting potential that ranks among the elite even in the Major Leagues. The only issue is the lingering risk.”
Frank’s gaze settled on the injury history graph of Mark displayed on the screen.
The elbow ligament injury he sustained just before high school graduation.
At the time, recovery after surgery remained uncertain, and as a result, he wasn’t selected in the draft.
Frank continued.
“Mark’s elbow has received a clean bill of health, but MRI imaging still shows faint traces, and he carries the latent risk that problems could resurface at any moment.”
It meant a danger like a time bomb that could detonate without warning.
One of the Minor League Coaches expressed concern.
“Honestly, that’s probably why he wasn’t picked in the draft. No matter how exceptional his potential is, if the injury reoccurs, it would mean massive losses for the organization.”
Frank nodded slowly.
“Injuries can resurface anytime. There’s no such thing as a complete cure in this world. But here’s the thing—he wasn’t drafted. That means we can sign him at a bargain price, which is definitely a significant advantage.”
Kevin nodded in agreement.
“Absolutely. If he’d been drafted, we wouldn’t have even looked at him. But now it’s a Los Angeles Dodgers evaluation. Plus, the Dodgers’ medical facilities are exceptional, so I think he’s definitely worth developing. What do you all think?”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
There was no way to disagree with Kevin’s assessment.
Mark was a player worth pursuing for low risk, high return potential.
“Then we’ll contact Mark separately and draw up a contract. Next is… Oh Soo-ho.”
When my name was called, the atmosphere in the conference room grew grave once more.
“This player’s performance in today’s test was nothing short of shocking.”
One of the Minor League Coaches let out an exclamation of admiration.
“Indeed. First, his athletic ability itself is remarkable. His base-running instinct and explosiveness—turning a double into a triple—are the kind you’d see among the elite in the Major Leagues. The fact that such speed comes from such a small frame is pure, innate talent.”
Another Scout chimed in.
“His defense is equally impressive! Shortstop, Second Baseman, even Outfield—he can handle it all. What we call ‘up the middle’—the defensive spine—he can cover the entire spectrum. Such a super utility player is rare even in the Major Leagues.”
Up the middle position.
It refers to Second Base, Shortstop, and Center Field.
And because batted balls frequently go to these positions, the defensive burden is greatest here.
“A player capable of true super utility is uncommon even in the Major Leagues.”
The analyst spoke while scrolling through the tablet screen.
“The data is equally impressive. Despite a report showing a hitting accuracy score of 20, today’s exit velocity exceeded 100 miles per hour on both attempts. Looking solely at today’s test, he’s flawless.”
Kevin synthesized the opinions.
“Everyone seems to view him as a player worth developing? The reason you’re not pushing harder, though, is because of his age, isn’t it?”
Everyone nodded at that.
At 24 years old, he’s only now entering Minor League Baseball.
It’s late—far too late.
Yet here he is, being discussed.
Moreover, he’s one of the final two candidates.
He demonstrated his potential unmistakably.
Kevin glanced sideways at Frank.
Frank simply nodded.
Understanding the meaning, Kevin smiled faintly.
“The risk we face in signing this player is zero. However, I believe the potential gains if his talent truly blossoms are virtually limitless.”
Kevin continued.
“His age is certainly a concern, I won’t deny that… but I genuinely believe he possesses the capability to utterly dominate Minor League Baseball and jump straight to the Major Leagues. The tools he already has are simply exceptional, aren’t they?”
No one disagreed with Kevin’s assessment.
There was no way they could.
What the Major Leagues valued most was none other than tools.
More precisely, what they called the Five Tool.
Hitting accuracy, power, base running, defense, and throwing ability.
These five categories appeared in scouting reports.
In the Major Leagues, scouts typically focused on players who excelled in two or three tools.
But which tools mattered most.
Evaluation varied depending on whether it was contact, power, or speed.
But Soo-ho was different.
The Soo-ho they witnessed today didn’t need to be evaluated for which specific tools he possessed.
He displayed all five tools.
A complete five-tool player.
“And today, Soo-ho demonstrated every single one of those possibilities to us.”
Therefore, for the Dodgers, letting this player slip away would be utterly foolish.
“Of course, given his age, if he doesn’t show brilliance within a reasonable timeframe, release becomes inevitable. But that’s not a loss for us either.”
A satisfied smile crossed Kevin’s lips.
“But consider the alternative. If we hold onto a raw gem like this and fail to transform it into a diamond, that won’t be a reflection on the player—it will be a failure of our system and proof of the incompetence of everyone sitting in this room. I have no intention of proving my own incompetence. What about the rest of you?”
No one objected.
And the absence of objection meant unanimous agreement.
“Excellent. Let’s conclude this discussion. Contact Mark and Soo-ho immediately and proceed with contract negotiations.”

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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