Moon Dong-ju (20) and Kim Seo-hyun (19), the fearsome divine right-handed duo who can throw 160 kilometers per hour fastballs. The Hanwha Eagles have now added to their arsenal a 150-kilometer left-handed fireballer, Hwang Jun-seo (18-Jang Chung-go).
Hanwha selected Hwang Jun-seo with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft on Thursday at the Westin Chosun Hotel Grand Ballroom in Jung-gu, Seoul.스포츠토토
The selection of three pitchers who have been among the best in the high school league in the last three years will provide a natural rebuilding opportunity for Hanwha, which has struggled to shed its “last place” image.
Pitchers Moon Dong-joo and Kim Seo-hyun have no doubts about their talent.
Moon Dong-ju is a second-year pro who was drafted into the Hanwha uniform two years ago. Of course, he struggled with injuries and adjustment last year, but this season he completely shook off the concerns and became the No. 1 rookie.
Under the special care of manager Choi Won-ho, he ended his season prematurely after 23 games and 118⅔ innings, but he went 8-8 with a 3.72 ERA and became Hanwha’s signature pitcher. During the season, he also became the fastest pitcher in the league with a KBO-certified 160-kilometer fastball.
Kim Seo-hyun, another 160 mph monster, struggled in his debut season. In 20 games and 22⅓ innings, he split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen, but finished with a 1.25 ERA and is now back in the Futures (second team).
However, no one is doubting him. Kim Seo-hyun has already experienced the ups and downs of Moon Dong-joo last year, and his mechanics and mentality are among the best on the team. There is no doubt that she will shake off this season’s slump and prepare well for next season to become the team’s leading pitcher.