The Genius Hitter Who Conquered America - Chapter 17

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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 17
The next morning.
Soo-ho and Mark woke up and immediately checked their phones at the Coffee Shop.
10 a.m. Mark’s phone rang first.
Mark took a deep breath and answered the call.
Moments later, a radiant smile spread across Mark’s face.
“I passed! I got the contract!”
Not long after, Soo-ho’s phone vibrated.
With trembling hands, Soo-ho barely managed to answer.
Farm Director Kevin’s voice came through the receiver.
-Oh Soo-ho. Your performance in yesterday’s test was truly impressive. The Dodgers hold your potential in high regard and hope you will join us.
At the mention of a contract offer, Soo-ho’s head bowed involuntarily.
The moment he had dreamed of was becoming reality.
“Thank you so much! Really, thank you! When and where should I go?”
Though once committed to a contract, there was little that could undo it.
Soo-ho wanted to sign the contract immediately.
Kevin smiled at Soo-ho’s fervent tone and continued.
-Once you provide the location, I’ll head over.
“Ah! Mark and I are at the same Coffee Shop.”
-Understood. I have the address. It will take about an hour.
After hanging up, Soo-ho looked at Mark.
“Mark, I got the contract too!”
Soo-ho’s voice trembled slightly.
The emotion that surged through him was far more profound than when he was drafted by the KBO.
Back then, it had been a vague dream he believed would naturally come true with effort.
But now, it was a lifeline he had miraculously grasped at the depths of despair—the realization that effort alone could not guarantee success.
Mark clenched his fist at Soo-ho’s words.
“I knew you’d make it. Honestly, if you couldn’t, who could?”
An hour later.
Kevin arrived at the Coffee Shop.
A Farm Director was the highest-ranking administrator overseeing the entire Minor League system.
The fact that he personally handled player contracts.
Meant the Dodgers viewed these two players not as mere prospects.
But as exceptional talents in whom they had special expectations.
“Who would like to go first?”
Mark stepped forward.
“I’ll go first.”
I should take the lead on this.
That guy Soo-ho is obsessed with baseball anyway—he probably can’t even negotiate properly, let alone worry about money.
“Very well. Let’s move to a quieter corner over there.”
The two moved to a corner and took their seats.
Kevin immediately pulled out a sheet of paper and placed it on the table.
It was a contract.
With only a name written on it.
There were no detailed terms.
Kevin began speaking in a gentle voice.
“Mark Williams. It’s good to see you again. Today is the day we finalize your signing with the Dodgers. Before you sign the contract, is there any condition you’d like to request from us?”
Mark hesitated for a moment.
Should I be honest about it?
He took a deep breath and opened his mouth.
“My family’s financial situation isn’t good. I want to help my parents in any way I can. I’ll do my best to show you good performance, so would it be possible to increase my salary?”
No salary had been offered yet.
Yet Mark’s voice carried a desperate earnestness.
It seemed he understood the Minor League system well.
Kevin nodded.
He wasn’t particularly surprised by the request for more money.
Many young players had made similar requests before.
Then he looked directly into Mark’s eyes and spoke.
“We also highly value your talent and passion. However, there are fixed amounts set by organizational regulations. You’ve been assigned to Low-A, and we find it difficult to offer more than $26,200 per year. Your salary is guaranteed. This amount is paid only during the season.”
Disappointment flashed across Mark’s face.
It meant the minimum salary, nothing more.
Moreover, this money was too little to live on in the United States.
Of course, Mark knew this as well.
If he’d disliked it, he should have received a large sum in the draft.
Kevin soon smiled and continued.
“However, in recognition of your potential and your outstanding performance in yesterday’s test, we additionally propose a signing bonus of $75,000.”
The signing bonus was an amount given immediately upon signing.
This was the result of highly evaluating Mark’s potential during his high school years.
“I hope this amount helps with Mark’s living expenses.”
Mark’s eyes widened.
Seventy-five thousand dollars!
It was far higher than expected.
If he hadn’t performed well in the test, he wouldn’t have received this money.
“Additionally, as part of player welfare, during the season the organization will provide player housing and meal support. And considering your injury history, should an injury occur, the Dodgers will fully cover rehabilitation programs through our medical facilities and dedicated medical staff. We at the Dodgers prioritize player health and safety above all else.”
Mark nodded with a satisfied smile.
While the salary itself was disappointing, the signing bonus and organizational support exceeded his expectations.
Without hesitation, he picked up the pen.
“Yes, I’ll sign. Thank you!”
Mark signed the contract with a bright smile.
Once Mark’s contract was finalized, Kevin took a moment to collect himself, then called Soo-ho into the conference room.
Soo-ho sat at the table, his expression tense.
Kevin unfolded the contract with Soo-ho’s name written on it.
“Oh Soo-ho. It’s good to see you again. Today marks the confirmation of your signing with the Dodgers. Before you sign the contract, is there any condition you’d like to request from us?”
Soo-ho opened his mouth without hesitation.
“Development. I want a system and coaching that can address my weaknesses and maximize my potential. That’s what I’m most looking forward to with the Dodgers.”
His voice carried an unmistakable resolve.
“I believe money naturally follows when skill is proven. What I need right now isn’t money—it’s the opportunity and time to prove my potential.”
Kevin’s eyes widened momentarily in surprise at Soo-ho’s answer.
He had met countless prospects.
But at the contract table, asking for development instead of money—
This was the first player to make such a demand with such conviction.
Usually, greed showed through, with players trying to squeeze out every last dollar.
Or anxiety would surface, revealing their nervousness before such an opportunity.
But in Soo-ho’s eyes burned only a pure passion for baseball and
An ambition to prove his own potential.
‘Frank was right. This guy is special.’
Kevin composed himself and asked.
“Is that truly all?”
“Yes.”
A faint smile crossed Kevin’s lips.
‘Frank was right about this too. He said money would never come up.’
And indeed, Soo-ho had no interest in money.
Of course, it would be nice to earn more.
But now wasn’t the time to prioritize it.
‘Money… I can earn it later.’
His meaning was to demand it only after he had proven his worth.
Kevin nodded.
“I understand. We highly value your passion and determination. Now I’ll present the contract terms we’re proposing. I can assure you they’re the best conditions befitting your potential.”
Kevin opened the first page of the contract.
“First, the contract period is one year. Your annual salary will be $26,200, the minimum for Low-A. This is paid only during the season.”
Like Mark, this was also the minimum salary.
But Soo-ho’s interest lay elsewhere.
“Low-A?”
“Yes. Is there a problem?”
“Isn’t Rookie League the lowest league?”
“Ha. Soo-ho, you’ll be going to Low-A. Rookie League is where rookies go, but you’re beyond that in both skill and age.”
Kevin continued.
“You said you weren’t interested in money, but since we’re discussing the contract, I’ll continue. Separate from your salary, we’re offering a signing bonus of $125,000—approximately 170 million won.”
Soo-ho couldn’t hide his astonishment at Kevin’s words.
He stared intently at the amount written on the contract.
‘Compared to the contract bonus I received from the KBO, it’s meager.’
But I was a player released by the KBO.
Moreover, a player who went through an Independent League Tryout receiving this level of contract bonus.
It was an amount I could never have imagined.
“And there will be comprehensive support for player development and training programs. As specified in Article 3, Section 2 of the contract, a dedicated Hitting Coach will be assigned to correct your swing mechanics. You’ll have access to the latest Trackman, Rapsodo, and other data analysis systems for personalized training programs tailored to your needs. This represents the Los Angeles Dodgers’ unwavering commitment and determination to transform your potential into reality.”
My heart began racing uncontrollably.
I would receive the finest infrastructure and coaching while addressing my weaknesses.
I was being given a chance to transform failure into success.
It was the condition I had yearned for most.
And as I heard the additional terms that followed, I couldn’t help but blink in astonishment.
‘Housing, meals, and even medical facilities are being provided as part of player welfare?’
These were the same conditions Mark received.
But for me, this was truly the best contract imaginable.
The opportunity to learn while receiving payment from the finest organization and facilities in the world.
Yet there was a reason the Los Angeles Dodgers offered such favorable terms.
What Kevin stated next contained a crucial difference from Mark’s contract.
Kevin paused briefly, lifted his eyes from the documents, and fixed me with a direct gaze.
The gentle smile from before vanished, revealing the cold, steely expression of the Minor League Baseball’s highest-ranking executive.
“All of these conditions are valid only if you, Oh Soo-ho, demonstrate exceptional performance.”
Even as he watched my eyes waver, Kevin’s voice grew lower.
“As mentioned earlier, the contract period is one year. However, the salary is non-guaranteed. This means that if the organization releases you during the contract period, we will not pay the remaining salary. If you fail to meet our expectations, your contract can be terminated at any time.”
Kevin continued speaking, leaving my wavering gaze behind.
“Particularly, unlike other prospects, you are older. We expect rapid growth and results proportional to our investment in you.”
Kevin took a breath before adding the final condition that seemed to pierce through my heart.
“As specified in Article 4, Section 1 of the contract, if you fail to be promoted to a higher league—specifically High Single-A or above—within one year of signing, or if you fail to demonstrate growth that the organization deems satisfactory, the Los Angeles Dodgers reserves the right to terminate your contract and release you.”
The Los Angeles Dodgers is the world’s finest organization, and competition is equally fierce.
It meant I had to remember that every single day was survival.
Behind the favorable conditions lay this harsh reality.
Receive the finest support, but fail to deliver the finest results, and you’ll be discarded without mercy.
The memory of being released from the KBO flashed through my mind once more.
‘Strangely, I’m not afraid.’
Because the release from that place was a death sentence declaring I lacked talent.
But this contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
‘It’s a testing ground to prove my talent.’
A sentence and a test carried completely different meanings.
Therefore, I clenched my fists all the more firmly.
Were the Los Angeles Dodgers’ conditions unreasonable?
No, they were not.
They promised to provide the finest support.
But if I failed to deliver results, the problem lay entirely with me.
‘I won’t fail this time.’
Soo-ho picked up the pen without hesitation and signed.
There was nowhere left to retreat to anyway.
But conversely.
If I succeeded here….
Unlike merely hoping to play a bit more baseball.
Perhaps I could even dare to knock on the door of the Major League—a dream I had never dared to entertain.

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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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