"You can use it in the first team of Oh Jae-won."" A great Hanwha rookie, sure to play in the opening game! Director Kim Kyung-moon, meticulous, stamped his pass 'in person' [Okinawa Station]

*This content was translated by AI.

I can't help saying that it's great. Oh Jae-won (19), a high school graduate outfielder of the Hanwha Eagles, received a certificate of acceptance directly from meticulous head coach Kim Kyung-moon (68).

Ahead of the practice match against the national team at Kochida Stadium in Yase, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan on the 21st, head coach Kim Kyung-moon said, "What's important is that Oh Jae-won has passed the first team rather than who is the main player in center field. That's the important thing," he said emphatically.

Oh Jae-won is a right-handed left-handed outfielder who was nominated by Hanwha in the third place in the first round of the 2026 KBO Rookie Draft after graduating from Sindoh-Bucheon-Joong-Yu Yusho. Based on the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA), despite being 177 centimeters tall, 76 kilograms in weight, he has attracted the attention of Major League scouts since his first year with his fast feet and excellent center field defense.

His steady performance without any ups and downs was highly evaluated. He recorded a batting average of 0.385 or higher for three years and finished his high school career batting average of 0.420. Based on his outstanding performance, he also won the Star Award in baseball at the "2025 Futures Star Awards" last year. However, the gap between the high school stage and the professional is large, and it was difficult to guarantee the opening entry from the first year of Oh Jae-won's debut. In particular, unlike seniors, it is not easy to do well in both hitting and defense for high school fielders who have not finished their physical growth.

Moreover, head coach Kim Kyung-moon is a meticulous head coach who takes care of the players' training process on the ground in each game even at the age of nearly 70. Therefore, it is difficult to make the first team stage if you are as sincere and good as you are. Apart from that, even a young player is a coach who boldly uses it if he shows as much passion and sincerity as his seniors. Kim Hyun-soo (38, KT Wiz) and Son Si-heon (46), current Doosan's first-team QC coach, are representative when they were Doosan Bears in the past.

However, this part was not a big concern for an official who knew Oh Jae-won. Another point that Scouts highly valued Oh Jae-won during his reporting period is work ethics (work ethics and attitude). Since his freshman year, he has become an example of others to the extent that he volunteered to play special hits at night. In the third grade, he led Yoo Shin-go as the captain. Hong Seok-moo, manager of Yushin High School, told Star News, "Oh Jae-won is a player who will live wherever he puts it on a deserted island. It is that adaptable and positive," he hinted.

The expectations were revealed in the Australian spring camp. Oh Jae-won was praised for his stellar defense in center field after three hits in a game in three warm-up matches with Melbourne Aces. In particular, the wide range of defense using fast batting judgment and speed shook the outfield. As a result, Oh Jae-won received a passing score from head coach Kim Kyung-moon with more than a month left before the opening. Lee Won-seok (27) and the main center fielder are still in progress, but they are almost certain to join the opening game entry.

Head coach Kim Kyung-moon said, "Oh Jae-won is in good batting condition right now. But Lee Won-seok is also working very hard. I also used Lee Won-seok first today (21st) because I saw him working hard." "Oh Jae-won will play against Chiba Lotte tomorrow (22nd). As we continue to compete like this, when we get close to the opening game, the player in good condition goes first," he added.

Despite the head coach's passing seal, Oh Jae-won is focused on adapting to the professional stage. Oh Jae-won, who met with Star News before the game with the national team, expressed regret first, saying, "I really wanted to experience Ryu Hyun-jin's ball, but I'm not going out today." He said, "My physical condition is better than it was in Australia. I'm trying to get used to the batting and balls of professional seniors at bat or in the outfield. There is still a lot to learn," he said, setting his goal high.

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*This content was translated by AI.