'4.8 billion won outfielder → 'generous deal' evaluation': Choi Won-jun's heartfelt words, "I want to repay your trust → You've made things too easy for me; I must repay with performance"

*This content was translated by AI.

A total contract of 4.8 billion won. This may become a label that follows Choi Won-jun (29), an outfielder for KT Wiz, for the rest of his life. At the time of his free agency (FA) contract ahead of the 2026 season, those terms seemed puzzling, but they have now turned into praise among KT Wiz fans as 'a "generous deal" (high return on investment)'. Choi Won-jun, who has perfectly established himself as KT's new leadoff hitter, expressed his sincere determination to respond to the team's full trust with his performance.

In the 18th games played by KT in the 2026 season, Choi Won-jun appeared in 17 games, posting a batting average of 0.315 (23 hits in 73 at-bats) with no home runs but 10 RBIs. His OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage), a key indicator of offensive productivity, has reached a solid 0.825.

In the home game against the Kiwoom Heroes on the 18th, Choi Won-jun, who started as the leadoff hitter and right fielder, went 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs, delivering powerful hits. Notably, he hit a two-run double in the fourth inning when KT led 1-0, and in the seventh inning, with the team trailing 3-2, he led off with a line drive single to get on base, becoming a run-scoring threat and playing a key role in KT's four-game winning streak. This marks his third consecutive multi-hit game. He is also being evaluated as benefiting from the "umbrella effect" of outfielder Kim Hyun-soo (38), who was signed alongside him.

Last season, while playing for the NC Dinos, he posted a somewhat disappointing batting average of 0.242, which led to criticism regarding the 4th.8 billion won contract he signed with KT in November last year. However, Choi Won-jun is proving his value through his performance. In an interview with StarNews after the game on the 18th, Choi said, "Last season, my performance was not good, but KT brought me in with favorable terms. Moreover, the fans welcomed me so warmly. I wanted to show that my choice was not wrong, and I wanted to repay them", revealing the driving force behind his early-season success.

The keys to Choi Won-jun's turnaround, as he pointed out, are the team's 'trust' and 'a comfortable atmosphere'. He expressed his gratitude, saying, "Manager Lee Kang-cheol, along with hitting coaches Yu Han-jun and Kim Kang, have shown great consideration since camp and have given me many words of encouragement to boost my confidence".

Especially regarding the current team atmosphere, he revealed his deep feelings: "They have made things so easy for me that I feel a sense of responsibility to show my performance". This reflects his determination to shed the struggles of the past, which were psychologically draining, and to repay the team as its central figure.

Choi Won-jun's focus extends beyond personal statistics to the team's success. "It is still early in the season. Baseball can go well at times and not so well at others. I believe that repaying the team is not about talking too much. Ultimately, the team must perform well. If I can achieve good personal stats, it will not only help the team but also provide strength to the manager and coaches. I will continue to prepare even more thoroughly in the future", he vowed.

Fans have already started calling him a "lucky charm." This is why Choi Won-jun's 2026 season is highly anticipated, as he continues to deliver performances that make the 4th.8 billion won price tag seem not only worthwhile but even cheap at this point.

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*This content was translated by AI.