Hanwha’s new foreign hitter, Brian O’Grady (31), is a big shot who has been recognized by major league players representing both Korea and Japan. Korean infielder Kim Ha-seong and Japanese pitcher Darvish Yu, who ate a pot of rice while playing for the San Diego Padres in 2021, praised and recommended O’Grady at intervals of a year. 

In November 2021, after O’Grady signed with Japan’s Seibu Lions, Darvish asked Japanese fans to support him through his social media, saying, “His personality is really good, and his powerful hitting is impressive.” Then, in December of last year, Hanwha sought information from Kim Ha-seong before signing a contract with O’Gredi. Ha-seong Kim said to general manager Son Hyuk, who was with Hanwha during his Kiwoom days, “O’Grady is a player who does his best in every game, has a great work ethic, and is a sincere player who sets an example on and off the field. He also has great power.” 먹튀검증

O’Grady said, “Thank you very much to the two players who said good things. Darvish had a lot of conversations with me on the bench when he wasn’t starting. At that time, he asked me a lot about baseball in Japan, and I really ended up going to Japan. It’s an honor for such a player to say nice things (to the club) when I said I was going to Korea. He is grateful,” he said. 

In Japan, the results were not as clear as expected. He played in 123 games, batting .2 1/3 (86 hits in 404 at-bats) with 15 homers and 46 RBIs for an OPS of .695. His home run was tied for 7th in the Pacific League, but his batting average was the lowest among the 21 batters in the regular at bat. Although he excelled at slugging with one shot, he showed weakness in breaking balls and ranked third in strikeouts (219). 

The biggest turning point in O’Grady’s performance last year came in mid-May. He went on maternity leave to the United States briefly after running until May 8 to share the moment of birth with his wife, who is pregnant with his first child. To this point, O’Grady had a batting average of .262 with three homers and 16 RBIs in 36 games. However, after returning on May 24, his batting average plummeted with a batting average of 1.59, 1 ri, 12 homers and 30 RBIs in 87 games, and he fell into a blackmailer. His on-base percentage (.356 → .292) also dropped noticeably. 

For O’Grady, who returned to Japan after watching the birth of his first daughter, life as a ‘goose father’ was not as easy as adjusting his condition. “Being a father was a huge gift,” he said. But he had a really hard time being apart and alone with the first child he got. He looked back, saying, “As the season went on, his condition and performance declined.” 

But this year, the wild goose father’s life is not long. Oh Grady said, “His wife and daughter will return to Korea shortly after the season opens. Unlike last year when he was alone in Japan, he doesn’t have to worry about that,” he laughed. Korea treats foreign players the best in life support. With family members by their side, players can play the season with psychological stability even in an unfamiliar land. Not only O’Grady, but also foreign pitcher Felix Pena, along with his wife and first daughter he got last winter, are living in Korea. 

Now all you have to do is adapt to baseball. O’Gredi said, “It was nice to be able to experience a different kind of baseball from the United States in Japan. Korean baseball may have a different texture from Japan, but experiencing Japan will definitely help,” he said. The goal is to show a steady long hit without ups and downs. I have the confidence to show 120% in defense, wherever the team wants.” O’Grady, who decorated both hits with home runs in the demonstration game, plays not only the outfield but also the first base defense. He’s giving the team all the extra power and defensive variety they’re looking for. 

O’Grady has been a candidate for recruitment by KBO teams, including Hanwha, since three years ago. He said, “A few years ago, I was interested in the Asian league because I wanted to receive many opportunities as a player. I heard a lot that Korea is a really good league. Actually, there are many talented players. Among them, Chae Eun-seong is the most impressive. I know that he is new to the team as a free agent this time. If the young players do well together, I think it will be a good team. The season starts early and I want to play interesting baseball. I want to contribute to the team rising from the bottom to the top. I will make good hits with good swings and bring victory to the team.”