Hanwha One Two Punch + Ryu Hyun-jin, the No. 1 player in history, will never receive such benefits again...I asked a lot about the 154km special rookie
Sep 17, 2025
|
|
Jung Woo-joo (19), the second-ranked rookie in the first round of the Hanwha Eagles in 2025, is enjoying the best benefits that may never happen again. Working out and living with Cody Ponce, Ryan Weiss and Ryu Hyun-jin is a huge privilege for a rookie player.
Ponce and Weiss wrote a new history of Hanwha's foreigners' one-two punch this year. Ponce is aiming for the first unbeaten multiple wins in KBO history with 17 wins and no losses. On the 16th, Weiss earned his 16th win of the season by allowing one run in six innings against the Gwangju KIA Tigers. By combining 33 wins, the No. 1 foreign pitcher in Hanwha's history was confirmed early, and Weiss added one win on the day, moving from fourth place to third place in KBO history.
In 2018, Doosan Bears Seth Frankoff (18 wins) and Josh Lindblom (15 wins) are currently on par with Ponce-Wice with 33 wins. If Fonsena Weiss adds one more win for the rest of the season, it will be the same as 34 wins by Daniel Rios (22) and Matt Randall (12 wins) of Doosan in 2007, the second-ranked team in history.
In particular, Ponce ranks first overwhelmingly with an ERA of 1.70 and 236 strikeouts. Strikeout is the highest single-season record in KBO history. It is no exaggeration to say that Jung Woo-joo has only time to ask Ponce because U.S. Major League clubs are showing tremendous interest.
Jung Woo-joo got his first start against the Kiwoom Heroes in Daejeon on the 15th and allowed three hits, two walks, four strikeouts, and two runs in two ⅓ innings. He recorded a maximum fastball speed of 154km and blocked the first two innings without allowing a run, but he said he felt it was difficult to maintain his speed from the third inning.
Jung Woo-joo met with reporters in Gwangju on the 16th and said, "Ponce is winning 17 consecutive games now, and I felt how great he was. All four of our starters maintain their restraint even if they go over 90 or 100 pitches, and I think I asked a lot about it yesterday (15th). I think we need to prepare better accordingly" showed a willingness.
|
|
Jung Woo-joo said, "(Ryu) Hyun-jin is also trying to ask a lot, but I can't reach that point yet," and then "Since it was my first selection, he told me to just look at the meat and throw it hard." First of all, I think those words touched me the most," he smiled.
There is also Moon Dong-ju who throws the fastest ball above 160km/h among Hanwha's starters. Moon Dong-joo, who was the first nominee in 2022, is also the senior Jung Woo-joo can treat most comfortably.
Jung Woo-joo " (Moon) Dong-ju also wants to learn because he keeps coming out in the 160km/h range even if he goes up to 100 pitches. I think Dong-ju is performing well now because the quality of the breaking ball has improved compared to last year. I want to learn a lot of off-season exercises to prepare for the next season, and I think I need to be next to them" he said.
Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon said he will continue to use Jung Woo-joo as a starting pitcher for the rest of the season. It is a choice that considers both the present and the future.
Coach Kim said "I think he felt a lot more to prepare after (Jung) Woo-ju threw it." To make you feel that, we're deliberately making them select at the end. I have a thought that I feel well that I should prepare something to throw next year or whenever as a starter and that I want it to be over. There will probably be two more starts by the end of the season."
Jung Woo-joo is having a successful debut season with three wins, three holds, 48 innings, 76 strikeouts and a 3.19 ERA in 47 games this year. Hanwha has confirmed its advance to the postseason for the first time in seven years since 2018, and is expected to experience fall baseball from its first year of joining the team. This year, Hanwha is a land of opportunity that Jung Woo-joo will never have again.
Jung Woo-joo "A year ago, I thought I would get lost in the professional league, so if I wasn't confident, I think I have more faith in my ball because I've received a lot of opportunities and experiences in the first team."I will continue to grow well as the club wishes."
|
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
