'Jamsil, Noh Si-hwan Appears' 1st Team Registration 'D-2', No Additional Futures League Appearance... Coach Dal: "We Didn't Send Him to Play Well in the 2nd Team" [Jamsil On-Site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles) has rejoined the 1st Team roster. Although two more days are required for his re-registration to the 1st Team, Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) stated that no additional game appearances are necessary.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon of Hanwha met with reporters ahead of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game against LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium in Songpa-gu, Seoul, on the 21st. He said, "It's not realistic to expect him to come from far away on that day (23rd) and immediately play in the game. We plan to have him arrive two days in advance, train with his teammates, and adjust his condition so he can be deployed in the third game."

Noh Si-hwan, who joined Hanwha as the third pick in the second round of the 2019 Rookie Draft, emerged as the team's key hitter in 2023, leading the league in home runs and RBIs with 31 home runs and 101 RBIs, earning the batting double crown.

Although he experienced some ups and downs in 2024, he solidified his position as Hanwha's definitive fourth hitter last season with 32 home runs and 101 RBIs. Ahead of this season, he signed the largest contract in team history: 11 years worth 30.7 billion won.

However, he fell into severe slumps in 13 games this season, posting a batting average of 0.145 (8 hits in 55 at-bats). On the 13th, he was removed from the 1st Team roster. The instruction was to go to the Futures League (2nd Team) to regain his hitting rhythm before returning.

He has yet to hit a single home run and, mostly batting fourth, managed only three RBIs. His batting average with runners in scoring position was even lower at 0.095. He drew five walks but struck out 21 times, the highest total before heading to the 2nd Team on the 13th.

Looking at his Futures League performance alone, it is still too early to say he has regained his form. In three games, he recorded three hits in 13 at-bats, resulting in a batting average of 0.231.

Nevertheless, Manager Kim brought Noh Si-hwan along for the Jamsil away game. Although there is no Futures League game scheduled for today, Hanwha will face LG in Icheon on the 22nd. While Seoul is not far and another live practice could be conducted, Manager Kim shook his head.

"We did not send him to play well in the Futures League. When baseball isn't going well, even I, as the manager, feel stressed. Free agents also want to perform well, but there are times when they can't. From now on, even if he doesn't immediately perform upon arrival, I believe he will gradually find his condition. We need to place more trust in him," he explained.

On this day, Hanwha removed Choi Yu-bin and called up outfielder Lee Jin-young. The starting lineup for today's game is: Lee Won-seok (center field), Jonathan Ferrara (right field), Moon Hyun-bin (left field), Kang Baek-ho (designated hitter), Chae Eun-seong (first base), Lee Do-yoon (second base), Kim Tae-yeon (third base), Choi Jae-hoon (catcher), and Sim Woo-jun (shortstop). The starting pitcher is Moon Dong-ju.

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*This content was translated by AI.