Seung-Han Ahn (31) is no longer the catcher for the winning team. He is a proud member of the Doosan Catcher Kingdom, which is aiming for Yang Eui-ji’s back-up position.
Doosan backup catcher Ahn Seung-han signed an annual salary contract for the 2023 season, which was concluded on the 26th, at 45 million won, an increase of 8 million won from 37 million won last year.
In fact, I didn’t get a high salary with this contract, and it’s not like the increase is high either. Nevertheless, the reason why the annual salary increase is meaningful is that at this time last year, his status was that he passed the entrance exam. He was grateful to have just extended his contract with Doosan, but after his efforts last season, he was recognized for his ability and had the joy of signing an increased salary.
Ahn Seung-han was a promising catcher in his rookie days. After graduating from Chungam High School and Donga University, he received a special nomination for KT’s new team in the 2014 rookie draft. However, from the first year, his dreams of success were thwarted by injuries. He was diagnosed with a slap, an injury to the upper joint and labrum of the shoulder, while throwing second base in the Futures League.
Ahn Seung-han, who was released from the call-up in October 2017, made his first-team debut in Daegu Samsung on June 14, 2019, the first year of manager Lee Kang-cheol’s appointment, but did not stand out much that year with 36 games, 103, 6 leagues, and 5 RBIs. After two years of tossing and turning in the second group, after the 2021 season, I was notified of the release of shock.
Ahn Seung-han, who was wandering, passed the Doosan entrance test in December 2021 and extended his active duty. Signed an official player contract with an annual salary of 37 million won. Due to his poor condition, he spent a lot of time in the 2nd team last year too, but after the summer 1st team call-up, he showed off a sense of stability in the air and defense and made his name known to Doosan fans. Ahn Seung-han left a strong impact with a batting average of 3.3, 3.0 and 8 RBIs in the few opportunities of 30 games. 안전놀이터
Ahn Seung-han, who was contacted after his salary contract, said, “After being released from KT, I thought about giving up, but last year I got a good chance. It was an unforgettable season,” he said. “It’s so nice to have a salary increase. When the salary goes up, I feel like I want to do better.”
Ahn Seung-han, who passed the entrance test, has leaped to become a catcher resource that manager Lee Seung-yeop pays attention to. Coach Lee emphasized the importance of a backup catcher by directly mentioning Ahn Seung-han, Jang Seung-hyeon, and Park Yoo-yeon from last year’s finish camp. Even after Yang Eui-ji joined, Ahn Seung-han and Jang Seung-hyun were mentioned once again as catchers to support him.
Ahn Seung-han said, “There was a lot of training during his finish camp last year. I was very tired because I wanted to show a good image to director Lee Seung-yeop,” he said. “Since the director often mentions it, I feel responsible. But he tries not to be very conscious. When he hears such stories from his time at KT, he becomes impatient with the desire to do better, and he is not good at baseball. He expressed his gratitude, saying, “My own play comes out well when I feel comfortable.”
Following last year, Ahn Seung-han was named to the first-team spring camp roster this year as well. He said that this year, unlike last year, he was training in Australia with national team catcher Yang Will. Ahn Seung-han said, “I am looking forward to working with the best catcher in Korea. I wonder if I can grow a lot if I watch and learn from the side,” he said, expressing excitement, saying, “I want to know what kind of person (Yang Eui-ji) is, how he communicates with pitchers, and how he runs the game.”
Along with the renewal of his contract, Ahn Seung-han celebrated a double congratulations in December of last year when he decided to get married after 8 years of devotion. He said, “After marriage, I had a stable life. Now I can focus on baseball a little more.” “My wife is really helpful by my side. He cheered me on a lot even when I was having a hard time. I also want to get a marriage buff now.” He laughed awkwardly.
This year’s goal is to contribute to the reconstruction of the Doosan Dynasty. As a member of the Catcher Kingdom, I want to help Doosan recreate its past glory. Ahn Seung-han said, “Eui-ji Yang also came, and there are many catchers such as Jang Seung-hyun, Park Yoo-yeon, Shin Chang-hee, and Yoon Jun-ho, and I hope they all do well. Also, even if I am not in the first team, I want the team to rebound.” “I also want to contribute to the team’s rebound in the first team. But I won’t be greedy for that. I will try to do well in my second season at Doosan with a comfortable mind.”