Reasons for the replacement of Hanwha's first-tier entry in large numbers

Hanwha manager Choi Won-ho told why Jung Eun-won was removed from the first team entry the previous day (8th) ahead of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League match against Doosan at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 9th.

On the previous day, the Hanwha Eagles removed left-handed pitcher Kim Ki-joong from the first division entry along with Jung Eun-won. Jung played in nine games this year, but has a batting average of .143 (three hits in 21 times at bat). He has no home run or RBI, but only one stolen base. Kim took the mound in three games, but his ERA is not good at 9.00.

Jung Eun-won has been a key prospect since Hanwha started rebuilding. Jung Eun-won, who made his professional debut with Hanwha in 2018, became the first player born in 2000 to hit a home run in his first season of debut, and drew attention for his defense ability with solid basic skills. This became the background for Jung to leap to the main second baseman from 2019, when he was in his second year as a professional. Jung Eun-won, who played in 142 games in 2019 with a batting average of .262 with eight homers, 57 RBIs and 14 steals, slowed down to a batting average of .248 with three homers, 29 RBIs and one stolen base in only 79 games due to overlapping injuries in 2020, but he came out in 139 games in 2021 and was honored with his first golden glove by batting .283 with six homers, 39 batters and 19 steals. At that time, Jung Eun-won was able to record a high on-base percentage of .407 with 105 walks.

Jung Eun-won, who played in 140 games in 2022 with a batting average of .274 with eight homers, 49 RBIs and 10 steals, went downhill last year with a batting average of .222 with two homers, 30 RBIs and six steals, and has failed to make a breakthrough this year as he lost his position as the main second baseman to Moon Hyun-bin. He tried to broaden his use of players by turning to an outfielder in earnest ahead of this season, but his poor batting has hampered him.

First, coach Choi Won-ho said, "Jung Eun-won and Kim Ki-joong are not in good condition right now," adding, "They used Jung Eun-won and Choi In-ho in turns, which was not good for both players. Currently, Choi In-ho is considered to be better, so Jung will be able to go down to the second team and adjust and Choi In-ho will be able to continue playing. He also tried to prepare Kim Ki-joong as an alternative starter while leaving Hwang Joon-seo in the first team," explaining why he excluded Jung Eun-won and Kim Ki-joong from the first team entry.

On top of that, the Hanwha Eagles removed infielder Ha Ju-seok from the first division entry. Instead, they added right-handed pitcher Jang Si-hwan, infielder Hwang Young-mook, and outfielder Kim Kang-min to the first division entry. Ha Ju-seok maintained a good batting sense with .324 batting average and three RBIs in 11 games this year. However, he was replaced halfway through the game against Kiwoom in Gocheok on the 5th as he felt tightness in his left hamstring.

"Ha had an MRI yesterday at a hospital, and he said he was suspicious of a ruptured left hamstring, so he will undergo another checkup in two weeks. He had to recover at least two weeks to remove him from the first team entry. That's why he put third shortstop Hwang Young-mook on the first team, while Kim Kang-min joined the first team as scheduled. And the pitcher said Jang was in the best condition in the Futures League. That's why he added Jang to the first team."

Meanwhile, the Hanwha Eagles started off with foreign pitcher Ricardo Sanchez as the starting pitcher, and displayed batting order 1 to 9 including Choi In-ho (left fielder), Moon Hyun-bin (second baseman), Jonathan Peraza (right fielder), Roh Si-hwan (third baseman), Ahn Chi-hong (first baseman), Chae Eun-sung (designated hitter), Lee Jin-young (center fielder), Choi Jae-hoon (pitch) and Lee Do-yoon (striker). The Doosan Bears' starting pitcher that the Hanwha Eagles will face is Kim Dong-joo.

BY: 스포츠토토