Lotte Giants’ Na Won-tak has announced his retirement.
“After meeting with the club, I terminated my contract by voluntary termination,” Na announced on his social media account on Tuesday.
In high school, Na was a standout prospect who played catcher for the South Korea Under-23 National Team. He was drafted by the Samsung Lions in the second round in 2017 and later switched to Lotte. He competed with Na Kyun-ahn for the starting 메이저놀이터 catcher position with Lotte shortly after Kang Min-ho’s transfer, but ended his military service amidst criticisms of “Nana Land.
He switched to the outfield to utilize his bat and then to pitch. He has a fastball that reaches up to 150 kilometers and comes from a short take-back reminiscent of Noh Kyung-eun (SSG Landers). There are also plans to use him as a bullpen pitcher and pinch-hitter to get more first-team starts. It was a choice he made out of desperation for a longer professional career.
He spent three seasons as a pitcher before this year, but he didn’t have much to show for it. In 10 games and 8⅔ innings in the first team, he had a 12.46 ERA. After losing 10 kilograms last winter, he renewed his resolve and welcomed his wife in January, but the professional stage was not easy. His only first-team experience came on May 18 against the Hanwha Eagles, where he gave up three runs on three hits (one home run) in ⅔ innings.
Eventually, Nawontak chose to retire. “I’ve been changing positions to become the player the club needs as an outfielder, first baseman, and pitcher, but I’ve been feeling the pain of not getting results and the disappointment of being a catcher in the back of my mind,” he said, adding, “I chose to retire before I felt more disappointment.”