'Lotte, I really want to go there!' Lotte fans' unwavering support for Kim Won-jung: "I've seen most of Busan's promising players; I hope to meet them in the pros" [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

For promising baseball players in the Busan region, the presence of Lotte Giants' Kim Won-jung (33) is beyond imagination.

When visiting high school fields, one can gauge which KBO League players shone the brightest that year. Three years ago, it was Lee Jung-hoo (28, San Francisco Giants), and recently, the names of Kim Do-young (23, KIA Tigers) and Ahn Hyun-min (23, KT Wiz) are heard most frequently. On the pitching side, An Woo-jin (27, Kiwoom Heroes) has a significant presence.

However, among promising baseball players in the Busan region, Kim Won-jung's name is heard particularly often. Kim Won-jung graduated from Hakgang Elementary School, Gwangju Dongseong Middle School, and Gwangju Dongseong High School before joining Lotte as the 5th overall pick in the first round of the 2012 KBO Rookie Draft. After making his first-team debut in 2015, he recorded 43 wins, 53 losses, 5 holds, and 164 saves with an ERA of 4.90, serving as Lotte's reliable closer for an extended period.

Lotte's performance since Kim Won-jung's debut has not been particularly strong. The team experienced autumn baseball only once in 2017, finishing third in the league, and has consistently struggled in the lower standings. Yet, fans still visited their home stadium, Sajik Baseball Stadium. Despite the disappointing results, it is reported that Kim Won-jung's presence played a major role in capturing the hearts of Lotte fans (Lotte+Children).

Gwak Do-hyun (18) of Busan High School, whom we recently met, is one of them. Gwak Do-hyun is recognized as a right-handed pitcher with an impressive physique—195 cm tall and weighing 100 kg according to the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA) standards. He is known for his fastball reaching speeds up to 150 km/h and a sharp slider.

Recognized for his outstanding physical attributes and growth potential, Gwak Do-hyun has been mentioned as a top candidate for the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft, which will be held in the latter half of this year. He is expected to excel as a starting pitcher by adding a two-seam fastball and a forkball to his existing repertoire of fastball and slider. Notably, the forkball was directly taught to him by Kim Won-jung.

Gwak Do-hyun stated firmly, "Around May last year, Senior Kim Won-jung visited our school and taught me the forkball. Taking that as an opportunity, I asked many people around me and refined my skills, and I've been using it as my primary weapon since this year."

He continued, "I have liked Senior Kim Won-jung since I was young. Naturally, he is my role model. As a professional player, there was much to learn, and he taught me very well."

The connection between Kim Won-jung and Busan High School was made possible by Park Hwi-seong (34), a pitching coach who previously played for Lotte. Park Hwi-seong, a graduate of Busan High School, was selected as the 37th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2012 KBO Rookie Draft and joined Lotte. He retired from the team after the 2018 season. After retiring, he served as a coach at Mulgok High School from 2020 to 2024 and joined his alma mater as a coach last year. He then asked his fellow alumnus Kim Won-jung to provide one-day mentoring.

On the same day, we heard the story behind this from Kim Won-jung. Kim Won-jung said, "Coach Park Hwi-seong is a friend, so I think I visit about once or twice a year. Recently, I also visited Busan High School, and I visit schools whenever the opportunity arises."

Kim Won-jung's tour of high schools in the Busan region is not his first. During the season, whenever he has free time, he visits schools to communicate with promising players in the Busan area. Kim Won-jung smiled and said, "I think I've met most of the players in the Busan region at least once. Some of them have even come to visit me after joining Lotte."

Gwak Do-hyun is one of those players. While aiming for the quarterfinals of the national tournament at Busan High School and a first-round selection in the KBO Rookie Draft, he stated his ambition: "I also want to join Lotte. If I become a professional, I want to meet Senior Kim Won-jung the most."

In response, Kim Won-jung said, "I remember that time when the three of us—me, a player, and a coach—identified the issues and discussed solutions together. If it was helpful, I feel good thinking, 'That was a great visit; it was helpful.'"

Meeting with promising players in the Busan region has also been a positive stimulus for Kim Won-jung. Hearing stories from players who look up to him as a role model, he smiled and said, "It makes me grateful that they think of me that way. Even if I went at a friend's request, I return feeling energized by the passion and dedication of the young players."

Kim Won-jung, the idol of Lotte fans, is once again meeting their expectations by quietly dedicating himself to training. He began his season preparations late this past winter due to an unexpected traffic accident. Kim Won-jung shared his recent status, saying, "I am fully focused on improving my physical condition. My usual routine was disrupted, and I am learning that in such situations, I can try different approaches. I am working to build a body capable of throwing the fastest possible pitches to help the younger players succeed."

He added, "Every time I hear young players say I am their role model, I feel I need to set a better example through my own actions before speaking to them. I want to tell those players not to be discouraged if things aren't going well right now. If they prepare diligently and maintain a positive mindset, good days will surely come. I want to tell them to prepare hard and meet again in the pros."

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*This content was translated by AI.