Hanwha started rotation of five starting players this year in order of Ryu Hyun-jin, Felix Peña, Kim Min-woo, Ricardo Sanchez and Moon Dong-ju. Left-handed rookie Hwang Joon-seo (19), who was named the first overall pick this year, also competed as starting candidates until the exhibition game, but ended up joining the Futures team for the season as there was no vacancy.
Hwang, who has been selected as a member of the youth national team since he was a sophomore at Jangchung High School, has a soft pitching form and good ball control, and has a decisive ball that is a rare case for a left-handed pitcher to pull off splitter. Many critics say that Hwang will become a highly accomplished pitcher immediately. Hanwha manager Choi Won-ho, who had no choice but to send Hwang to the secondary team ahead of the opening of the season, said, "It's too bad. What a shame. I think he will do well even if he starts right now."He said, "I'm so happy.
It didn't take long to understand why manager Choi was so disappointed. As Kim Min-woo skipped the rotation due to bruising on his left wing, Hwang Joon-seo had a faster chance to start than expected and left a strong impression on his debut game. Hwang, who started the match against the KT Wiz on March 31, led his team to a landslide 14-3 victory by pitching five innings of three hits (one homer) with two strikeouts and one run scored. As the 10th high school graduate to win the game as a starting pitcher in his debut game, he displayed strong presence with gut and stability that is not comparable to that of a 19-year-old rookie.
Hwang, who pitched up to 149 kilometers on average, 145 kilometers fastball (33) and close to two pitches with his main weapon splitter (34), occasionally mixed curves (6), made aggressive pitching by banking on his two pitches that fit his body, but he displayed stable command. It was difficult for first-time batters to respond because of his long extension and good decimation of the ball.
It was impressive to see him play head-on in a crisis situation. With runners at the first and second bases with no outs in the second inning, he threw three fastballs to Hwang Jae-gyun to strike out three pitches. With runners at the first and third bases with two outs in the third inning, he lowered the splitter against Kang and swung the ball higher towards his body to garner a strikeout. He managed to prevent any loss in both crises.
As Hwang Joon-seo's pitching at his debut match was so good, Hanwha also had a happy moment. It was too close to send him to the second division immediately. With this quality pitching, the starting class for the second division seems meaningless. Even so, he is displaying good pitching performance by the existing five starters, making it difficult to remove a single player. At a match against the SSG Landers in Munhak on June 26, Kim Min-woo also garnered his first win with two hits, three walks and six strikeouts in five innings as a combination of fastball and forkball of up to 148 kilometers. As he prepared so well for the season, he needs to give him more chances.
"Regardless of the result of today's game against KT, Kim Min-woo will throw in the next game (against Kiwoom Heroes in Gocheok on June 6). If he is in good physical condition, he will continue to play as Kim Min-woo. After watching Kim take the mound, I will decide how to play Hwang Joon-seo." Hwang will also accompany the first team and wait until he checks Kim's health. 토토사이트먹튀
If Kim Min-woo has no problem, Hanwha should find a new way to utilize Hwang Joon-seo as the five-member starting lineup remains the same. The six-starter system can also be considered, but it is not suitable in the KBO League environment, where rain cancellations are frequent, bullpen dependence is high, and replacement fielders are frequently used. No team has operated a six-starter system all year so far because the starting pitcher eats one more entry.
In reality, the most likely thing is to remain in the first team as a bullpen. Chances are high that he will be used as a swing man for general players when they need a starting pitcher. "My goal is to be in the first team. As long as I am in the first team, I can do well in any position," Hwang said, hoping to stay in the team. Any player in the league wants to play in the first team. Even more so, the most important thing to do is for younger players. However, as Hanwha needs to develop players in the mid to long term, the field and the front office are working together to find the best path for Hwang. We still have time until this week for a decision.