The Genius Hitter Who Conquered America - Chapter 30

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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 30
Before the game began, the Caster and Commentator greeted the fans.
[California League Playoff Division Series Game 1! We’re at San Bernardino Stadium. Good evening, I’m Caster John Miller.]
[Hello. I’m Bill Heywood, your Commentator for today. The postseason has finally arrived.]
[That’s right. Today’s matchup is a destined rivalry between the California League South Division’s titans—the Inland Empire Sixties-Sixers, who lead the entire league, versus the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes, who’ve secured second place through a miraculous late-season winning streak!]
[During the regular season head-to-head matchups, the Sixties-Sixers dominated with an 18-10 record. However, I believe today will be different.]
[Before we dive deeper, let’s check the lineups. First, the visiting Quakes.]
1. Oh Soo-ho. CF.
2. Casey Meyer. SS.
3. Luis Garcia. 2B.
4. Mark Williams. 1B.
5. Alexander A Jackson. DH.
6. Miguel Sanchez. C.
7. Carlos Rodriguez. 3B.
8. Derek Wilson. LF.
9. Anthony Rizzo. RF.
P. Ryan Pepiot.
Now, the home team Sixties-Sixers.
1. Trevor Johnson. 2B.
2. Jorge Mateo. CF.
3. Brian Lopez. RF.
4. Nelson Cordero. DH.
5. Jordan Adell. LF.
6. Vinny Pasquantino. 1B.
7. Matthew Nelson. 3B.
8. Diego Cartaya. C.
9. Jack Wilson. SS.
P. Jack Kozart.
[Bill, what’s your take on today’s game?]
[During the regular season matchups, the Sixties-Sixers held an overwhelming 18-10 advantage. By the numbers, today should favor the home team. However, I don’t see it that way.]
[Oh? What’s your reasoning?]
[It’s because of those two recently acquired players. Specifically, number 1 Center Fielder Oh Soo-ho and number 4 First Baseman Mark Williams.]
The Commentator continued.
[Of course, the Sixties-Sixers lead in overall season statistics, but if we narrow it down to the last twenty games since these two joined, the story changes entirely.]
[Since these two players arrived, the Quakes have been on an incredible winning streak, and that momentum has carried them all the way to this playoff.]
[Exactly. It’s more than just a stronger batting lineup. The team’s atmosphere, the focus in the Dugout—everything has transformed. You could say the Quakes have become a completely different team before and after these two joined.]
[So, who do you believe will be the key player in this series?]
[Without hesitation, I’d say the number 1 batter, Oh Soo-ho.]
[Oh Soo-ho? Of course, his batting has been exceptional, but there’s also the number 4 batter Mark Williams and Casey Meyer, who’s among the league’s elite hitters and a Shortstop. Is there a particular reason you’d single out Oh Soo-ho?]
[Well… it’s because this player is absolutely brimming with passion. His relentless drive to learn never ceases to amaze me. I’d wager that among Minor League players, his passion is second to none.]
Was Soo-ho positioned as the key player based on the conversation on the bus before today’s game?
You could say that.
After all, they were biased commentators whose role was to deliver what the fans—though few—wanted to hear.
But they were also professionals who got paid.
They didn’t fabricate things that didn’t exist.
Players with genuine passion for Minor League Baseball were rare, and this was Soo-ho’s unique advantage.
The Commentator finished his remarks with a smile.
[But passion alone isn’t everything. Usually, players who rely solely on passion tend to make frequent mistakes, but this player doesn’t. He possesses skill, baseball intelligence, and dedication to his team. I believe the direction of this game will be determined by what kind of performance this player shows today.]
And so the game began.
* * *
Top of the first inning.
Stepping into the Left-handed Batter’s Box, Soo-ho exhaled a deep breath first.
“Phew.”
Then he fixed his gaze on the Pitcher on the Mound.
The Pitcher—Jack Kozart.
He was the undisputed ace that the California League recognized.
A devastating 98-mile fastball delivered from his commanding 196-centimeter frame.
League leader in wins, strikeouts, and second in ERA.
At this Low-A Level, he was considered without peer.
The Angels’ most prized pitching prospect.
Jack, too, slowly assessed Soo-ho as he stepped into the Batter’s Box.
‘That Korean… I absolutely cannot underestimate him.’
Jack was fundamentally different from other players who treated the playoffs as mere overtime work.
His promotion to High-A for the next season was already confirmed.
But his goals didn’t end with mere promotion.
‘Dominant individual records endure forever.’
He had to perfect his playoff statistics as well.
Only then, if he performed well in High-A next season, could he potentially be promoted to Double-A mid-season based on his track record.
Climbing to higher levels even slightly faster meant drawing closer to the Major League.
‘Records never lie.’
So today, that leadoff batter who might potentially tarnish his record had to be shut down at all costs.
‘Exit velocity ranked first in the league, they said.’
Jack had reviewed Soo-ho’s analysis footage multiple times before the game.
A frame similar to his own.
Actually, he looked even leaner than Jack.
Yet from that physique emerged an absurd exit velocity that made Low-A Level look trivial.
‘And besides, this is a place where promising players whose defensive skills aren’t fully developed gather.’
The probability of a poorly-timed catch attempt turning into a hit was far too high.
“Besides, this is a place where promising young talents gather whose defensive skills haven’t fully developed yet.”
The probability of it becoming a hit if I tried to catch it awkwardly was too high.
Then there was only one answer.
‘Go all-in on strikeouts.’
And Jack had confidence in his pitches.
At least at this level, he was certain he could overpower most batters.
Meanwhile.
Soo-ho had also gathered his thoughts.
‘He’ll probably come in looking for strikeouts.’
The reason was simple.
His exit velocity was already the highest in the entire league.
More than one team had failed trying to catch poorly-hit balls.
‘The League-Leading Team couldn’t possibly be unaware of that.’
Baseball was a game of strategy and positioning.
And in this strategic battle, Soo-ho was clearly one step ahead.
As proof, Soo-ho widened his vision and scanned the entire Stadium.
The infielders’ feet had subtly retreated backward, and the outfielders were positioned slightly deeper than their normal defensive range.
‘They’re being cautious of my exit velocity.’
By backing up like that, even if the ball came off the bat fast, it would be easier to handle.
But conversely.
‘A bunt would actually be easier to execute.’
The real problem was the pitcher’s velocity and movement.
The heavy fastball of the ace who had decided to hunt for strikeouts.
That fast, powerful pitch was extremely difficult to redirect with bat control.
‘But I have to try.’
Soo-ho’s eyes gleamed with cold intensity.
‘You’ve got a lot riding on this too, but so do I.’
Whoever wanted it more would win.
‘I’ll let the first pitch go.’
The reason was straightforward.
I hadn’t faced this pitcher’s fastball yet, but it would be elite-level.
Even if I pulled off a surprise bunt hit on the first pitch, it wouldn’t be the worst outcome, but it wasn’t what I wanted.
‘I need to show everyone first—just how dominant this pitcher’s fastball is.’
When I overcame such an overwhelming pitch, the impact would transcend a mere bunt single.
‘It would shake the entire morale of my team and shatter the opponent’s pride.’
As Soo-ho adjusted his grip on the bat, the pitcher began his windup.
And then.
CRACK!
A thunderous sound erupted through the Stadium as the catcher’s mitt seemed ready to split.
The number displayed on the Scoreboard read 99 miles per hour.
In that moment, a murmur leaked from the Quakes Dugout.
“How are you supposed to hit that?”
An uneasy current swept through the air.
The opposing team was simply too strong.
Soo-ho’s eyes widened, but he wasn’t flustered.
‘I expected this. That’s why I’m burning even hotter.’
And on the second pitch.
Another heavy fastball left the Pitcher’s hand, this time arriving at a slightly higher trajectory.
Soo-ho laid down his bat.
It was a bunt stance.
“!”
The Third Baseman and First Baseman reflexively charged forward.
But at that same moment, a smirk played across the Pitcher’s and Catcher’s lips.
‘A bunt on that high pitch?’
A 99-mile-per-hour high fastball.
Attempting to bunt that would almost certainly pop the ball up, making an easy out.
It was clearly a foolish move.
But what was this?
Tok!
Soo-ho released his grip on the bat ever so slightly at the last moment to absorb the ball’s impact as much as possible.
With a dull sound, the ball didn’t rise.
The battery was caught off guard.
It was such a perfectly executed bunt.
But from Soo-ho’s perspective, it wasn’t quite perfect.
Ideally, it would have rolled along the Third Base Line with exquisite precision, but the batted ball rolled ambiguously between the Pitcher and Third Baseman.
More specifically, it was rolling slightly toward the Pitcher’s direct line.
‘Not ideal, but….’
Soo-ho discarded his bat and exploded toward First Base.
The Pitcher rushed down from the Mound and sprinted toward the batted ball.
His eyes snapped open as he secured the catch.
Got it. He’d fielded the ball quickly.
No matter how fast the batter’s legs were, now he just needed to throw to First Base for the out….
“Run! Run!”
Shouts erupted from the Quakes Dugout.
The runner’s speed down the baseline was accelerating wildly.
The Pitcher swallowed his panic and threw.
Whoosh!
Soo-ho’s body launched into the air.
A headfirst slide into First Base.
A head-first slide, in other words.
In fact, headfirst slides from the Batter’s Box to First Base don’t occur that frequently in baseball.
And for good reason—simply running is faster.
Yet the reason Soo-ho threw himself into the play was simple.
The plans we’d laid out beforehand.
There was the hustle play to consider.
But most of all, I desperately wanted to reach First Base alive.
Burning this single body to survive was nothing to me.
The result appeared razor-thin.
It was nearly impossible to tell with the naked eye who reached the base first.
Covered in a cloud of dirt, Soo-ho sprang to his feet and spread both arms wide.
“Safe!”
It was a declaration made with absolute conviction.
Video review exists in the Major League and all the way up to Triple-A.
But it didn’t exist in the leagues below that.
Ultimately, the judgment rested entirely on the Umpire’s discretion.
So did Soo-ho’s declaration help sway the call?
Or had Soo-ho’s fingers truly touched First Base first?
“Safe!”
The First Base Umpire’s arm swept wide to the side.
The Pitcher stood dumbfounded, and the First Baseman immediately protested, but it was overruled.
Top of the first inning: the leadoff batter reached base safely. Runner on First with no outs.
And stepping into the Batter’s Box was a Quakes player.
No—Low-A’s finest hitter, Casey Meyer, was taking his stance.
* * *
‘Something’s definitely off about this.’
Casey walked slowly toward the Batter’s Box, bat resting on his shoulder, lost in thought.
‘What in the world is he doing?’
The results were undeniable. I had to admit it honestly.
He’d completely shattered the opposing ace’s momentum—the one throwing 99 miles per hour.
‘And with a bunt, no less.’
Whether amateur or professional, an ace pitcher dominates the game through overwhelming power and rhythm.
Yet that symbol of power—the 99-mile fastball—had been neutralized by a surprise bunt.
This shattered the pitcher’s rhythm, wounded his pride, and clouded his judgment.
The pitcher would now throw out of anger rather than composure.
So Soo-ho’s play was sound.
‘But… that play just now carried serious injury risk.’
If that violent head-first slide had gone even slightly wrong?
His fingers could have snapped against First Base and fractured, or his shoulder and wrist could have been shattered.
In this Minor League where everything is evaluated by statistics, such reckless plays were nothing short of suicide.
An injury meant… falling behind in this cutthroat competition.
Yet Casey detected not a single moment of hesitation from Soo-ho.
And that was precisely why Casey couldn’t understand him.
‘I suppose there’s no getting around it—he’s simply foolish.’
But that was beside the point.
Casey’s eyes gleamed with cold calculation.
‘I cannot afford to miss this opportunity.’
It was his chance to shine.
Casey stepped into the Batter’s Box.
Soo-ho, the Runner on First, began his lead.
The Pitcher on the Mound still seemed unable to contain his frustration, casting a sharp glare at Soo-ho.
And the first pitch came.
As if to wash away that humiliation, the Pitcher hurled a fastball with all his might at Casey, the next batter.
But it was a pitch fueled by anger, not composure.
Soo-ho had shattered the Pitcher’s equilibrium completely.
Because of that, the pitch careened not to the outside where the Catcher wanted it, but straight down the middle of the Strike Zone.
And Casey—
—was not a batter who would let such a mistake pass.
Crack!
The sound of contact rang out crisp and clear.
The ball traced a massive arc through the night sky above San Bernardino and soared cleanly over the left field wall.
A two-run home run.
Casey crossed Home Plate.
Soo-ho, who had arrived first, waited with his hand raised for a high-five.
Casey’s expression suggested the result was tediously inevitable, but he extended his palm to meet Soo-ho’s.
Then he murmured softly.
“This is how baseball is played.”
Soo-ho tilted his head quizzically.
It seemed Casey was saying that baseball wasn’t about rolling around in the dirt, but about overwhelming opponents with superior talent.
It might have been a dismissive remark toward him, but Soo-ho simply grinned as if unbothered.
“Yeah. That was definitely impressive baseball. But I’m satisfied with my game right now.”
Throwing my body into the play.
It was something only I could showcase in this Minor League.
I understood well enough that a single home run could drastically alter the course of a game.
But because of my play, Casey was able to record a two-run home run instead of a solo shot.
‘So there’s no shame in it.’
Not even a single run.
“You live such a difficult life. You’ll make it even harder if you get injured.”
Huh? Was he worried about me?
Soo-ho chuckled softly.
The world Casey inhabited seemed so peculiar that I couldn’t be entirely sure, but somehow it felt that way.
“Thanks. But I’m fine.”
At Soo-ho’s words, Casey tilted his head in confusion before moving toward the Dugout with apparent indifference.
Following behind, Soo-ho let out a quiet chuckle.
‘Every move was calculated.’
Throwing yourself recklessly without planning carried the risk of injury.
‘I know that well.’
After all, he’d suffered minor injuries more than once from unplanned plays like that.
But calculated plays had an extremely low injury rate unless an unavoidable accident occurred.
Soo-ho wanted to play baseball for a long time.
So naturally, he had no intention of getting hurt.
But that was beside the point.
‘Regardless, one hit recorded!’
The game was still unfolding exactly as he’d intended.
Therefore, there was plenty of room for him to shine.

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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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