“I am so happy to meet the fans again.”
Estevan Florial (28), a foreign player for the Hanwha Eagles in professional baseball, made a rare appearance at Hanwha Life Park in Daejeon. Despite being on the rehabilitation list due to an injury, he was seen at the KBO All-Star event held on the 11th and 12th.
Florial, who was selected as one of the best 12 in the outfield institutional sector of the All-Star selection, was the only injured player to attend the event. On the 11th during the home run derby, he cheered by tapping his teammate Moon Hyun-bin's shoulder and was very happy with the home runs. He also attended a fan signing event held before the main All-Star game on the 12th, having time to meet with the fans.
After the signing event, Florial met with reporters in the first base dugout. Florial said, “I was a bit bored while resting,” and added, “I am so happy to meet the fans again. I feel good.” Regarding his current physical condition, he replied, “The team's schedule hasn’t been confirmed yet, but I want to return as soon as possible by scheduling my personal plan.”
Florial was hit on the left pinky by a pitch from Jeong Hae-young during the 10th inning against KIA in Gwangju on the 10th of last month. He was diagnosed with an avulsion fracture caused by a sudden impact on the bone where muscles or ligaments attach, and he was placed on the injured list on the 13th of last month. Two days later, he briefly went to the United States for rest and recovery, spending three weeks with his wife, who is pregnant with their second child, and returned on the 8th.
In the brief time that followed, the situation changed dramatically. Luis Libertao, who signed a six-week short-term contract as Florial's replacement, started off swinging powerfully without any adjustment period. Although the six-week contract ends on the 25th, Hanwha has already notified Libertao's side of their intention to extend the contract. While the extension is not yet confirmed, it is a decision made to secure negotiation rights, but the scale seems to be tipping somewhat.
Florial is reportedly aware of this atmosphere. However, he is sticking to the originally scheduled plans. Although the 18th is his wife's due date for their second child, he returned on the 8th as promised to the team when he left for vacation, and although he could have skipped the All-Star event, he voluntarily attended. He cannot participate in games, but he met with fans and supported his fellow players until the end of the game while guarding the dugout. He demonstrated a professional spirit.
Kim Kyung-moon, the coach of Hanwha, has been very pleased with Florial's diligent and serious attitude since the spring camp in Melbourne, Australia. Even when Florial was struggling early in the season, he said, “He runs hard to first base regardless of hitting grounders or fly balls. Our players need to learn from that,” and praised him for, “Practicing defense seriously before a game. He doesn’t just do it half-heartedly; it’s a very diligent routine. He works hard on the basics.”
Florial has recorded a batting average of .271 (70 hits in 258 at-bats) with 8 home runs, 29 RBIs, and 13 stolen bases across 65 games this season, with an OPS of .783. He had a rough start, going hitless in 20 at-bats before finally registering his first hit in the 9th inning against LG on March 27, the fifth game of the season, but he began to adjust somewhat starting in April. Although he had fluctuations in his hitting, from the 21st of May against NC in Ulsan, where he was placed as the leadoff hitter, he had a batting average of .314 (22 hits in 70 at-bats), hitting 4 home runs, 7 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases with an OPS of .951 over 18 games.
Just as he was finishing adapting to the league and boosting his batting, he suffered an unexpected injury from a hit by pitch. When asked if he regretted being injured at a good time, Florial said, “It was something I couldn’t control. Being hit by a pitch happens,” and calmly stated, “The goal is to prepare as quickly as possible and return.”
If Hanwha officially signs a contract with Libertao, Florial will go through the waiver process. If a team wants Florial within a week, a trade can be made, and the remaining contract terms with Hanwha will be transferred to that team. If no team is interested, he won't be able to play this season and will become a free agent. Hanwha will cover the remaining salary.
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