Choi Won-ho expresses his expectations for Hwang Jun-seo.
On September 15, the Hanwha Eagles and LG Twins will play the 13th game of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League season at the Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon.
Hanwha head coach Choi Won-ho expressed his satisfaction with Hwang Jun-seo, the team’s No. 1 overall pick in the rookie draft the day before, saying, “We have a good player.”
“We plan to watch Hwang Jun-seo and second-round pick Cho Dong-wook in the final camp in November,” Choi said. “I’ve only seen high school baseball videos. I need to see them throw in practice and compare them to the existing players. Only then can I get a feel for them. I need to see the training and judge the level to make a roster for next year’s camp.”
Choi Won-ho was satisfied with what he saw on the video. “The video of him throwing in the spring was very good. He has a good fastball and a good delivery. “The scouting team said that his velocity dropped in the middle, but if there are no major problems with his body, it could be temporary,” he said. Both Hwang Jun-seo and Cho Dong-wook were judged by the scouting team to be competitive among the team’s lefties, except for Kim Bum-soo.”
Bo-jik will decide after watching the training. However, he said there is no reason to insist on a starter. Choi Won-ho said, “It might not be good for the top rounders to only look at starting and take starting lessons in the second team. It’s okay to experience the first team even if you’re pitching in the bullpen,” Choi said. If a pitcher is not good enough to be in the first team, but is “good enough” to be in the first team bullpen, the team is willing to start him in the bullpen first.
Choi Won-ho said, “I’ve been watching him in the scouting team. He could be drafted by another team in the second half of the first round, but if he stays until the second round, we will prioritize him,” Choi said, adding, “The infielder (Jung Ahn-seok) we drafted in the third round also has a good evaluation.”
Choi Won-ho said, “In the end, prospects are pitches. They are drafted in the top rounds because their pitches are good. It’s about being able to throw without ‘ball-ball-ball’. Hwang Jun-seo has a good ability to throw strikes,” he said. “After the season, I plan to go to Japan first to watch the players in the Miyazaki Education League. Then, we will hold a final camp.” 스포츠토토