The evaluation of KBO's top four prospects? The head coach's iron stick → 2G consecutive home run fire...Should we continue with the Taegeuk mark?

Mar 11, 2025

NC 김주원. Sports Chosun DB

"Kim Joo-won should do it for you. I'm telling you to feel pressured. If you don't do it, it's hard for me, too."

A 23-year-old young shortstop who has the talent to make it to the major leagues. Will the fifth year of the professional season be a year to burst its potential.

Fire is burning day after day. He hit a home run for two consecutive days against the Kiwoom Heroes on the 8th and 9th. He added two doubles and went 4 for 7.

The atmosphere is well adapted to the new position table setter. Kim Joo-won, who was usually placed in the lower batting order, will be fixedly hired as No. 2 to support Park Min-woo, the undisputed leadoff, from this season.

It is NC manager Lee Ho-joon's 'obsession'. On his way home from the spring camp, he said " (for No. 2)I insist on Kim Joo-won even though Son Ah-seop and Kwon Hee-dong are present. We decided to put the two players with the best steal ability in our team at No. 1 and No. 2. Kim Joo-won knows how to shake the opponent with his feet and is also a switch hitter. He explained, "We can make first and third bases by placing left-handed hitters in all 1st to 3rd against right-handed pitchers, continuing to target the first and second bases."

NC 김주원. Sports Chosun DB

Kim Joo-won, who met the reporters soon after, said, "(The second batter) is so good. I'll repay you with the result," he said, strengthening his will. "Honestly, I hit it comfortably at number 9" but now is not the time for that. Now, the batting posture seems to be established, and all that remains is to produce results."

Last year, he recorded a career high with a batting average of 252, nine home runs, 49 RBIs, and an on-base plus slugging percentage of 0.750 OPS. In the case of stolen bases, which recorded 16 last season, the goal this season is 25. "Park Min-woo said it's better to steal a lot of third base if you want to increase the number of stolen bases," he said with a smile.

It's a hotachoon, and its main position is shortstop. This is reminiscent of Kim Ha-sung, who advanced to the Major League earlier. Kim Joo-won's potential is well known in the U.S. as well.

Recently, the U.S. baseball statistics site 「FanGraphs dotcom」 selected Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers, No. 6), Ahn Woo-jin (Kium, No. 20), Kim Joo-won (KT Wiz, No. 28), and Kang Baek-ho (KT Wiz, No. 29) to select overseas prospects who can challenge the Major League in the future. There are only four KBO League players in the top 30.

NC 김주원. Sports Chosun DB

Kim Joo-won said, `I was surprised to be tied up with so many high-class players. They're still teasing me"And yet "Choose based on the value of my future?"I think it's sweet. I will play baseball more confidently in the future. Last year was not enough. I want to make this a year that shows more than the fans' expectations," he said, holding himself together.

He also made no secret of his greed for next year's World Baseball Classic (WBC). Kim Joo-won said, `First of all, if I make a good enough score to be selected for the national team, WBC will think about it next,' but added "I want to increase my batting average and hit more home runs, my goal is to raise my OPS to 0.8 or higher. I won't be shy again this year," he stressed.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.