'Hit product' Bae Dong-hyun, Kiwoom was convinced from the start: "He was a promising pitcher from the minor leagues, and he said he would work hard if given a chance."

*This content was translated by AI.

Kiwoom Heroes' new 'victory fairy' and right-handed pitcher Bae Dong-hyun (28) is making an enormous impact. His performance, leading the league in wins this season, is not mere luck but the result of meticulous observation and conviction by his manager, Seol Jong-jin (53).

Manager Seol Jong-jin met with reporters ahead of the match against Samsung Lions held at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul, on the 25th, and spoke about Bae Dong-hyun, who has risen to the top of the league in wins (4).

Bae Dong-hyun's baseball career, which was not smooth, has begun to shine this season. After attending Gyeonggi High School and Hansung University, he joined Hanwha Eagles in the 2021 rookie draft as the 42nd overall pick in the 2nd round. In his debut season, he recorded 1 win, 3 losses, and an ERA of 4.50 in 20 games, showing potential. Even after completing his military service with the Ha Ji-man (SVP) baseball team, he could not break through the thick wall of Hanwha's pitching staff and was ultimately selected by Kiwoom in the 3rd round of the 2nd draft held in November 2025, having not been included in the 35th-man protection list. Kiwoom did not hesitate after gathering potential candidates in the 3rd round.

This promising player overlooked by Hanwha immediately hit a 'jackpot' upon donning the Kiwoom uniform. He has now not only led Kiwoom but also tied for first place in wins across the entire league, making a stunning comeback alongside foreign pitchers representing the season, such as Adam Oller (KIA Tigers) and Caleb Boshley (KT Wiz).

When reporters pointed out that 'Bae Dong-hyun has already shouldered about half of the team's victory,' Manager Seol nodded and recalled, "Bae Dong-hyun was a promising pitcher even at his previous team and had decent velocity. While I was managing in the Futures League, I thought he was a good pitcher (even though he was an opponent)."

He particularly praised Bae's courage and intelligence on the mound. Manager Seol stated, "Above all, I judged him to be a player with the ability to manage games on the mound," and added, "He has been diligently fulfilling his role since given the opportunity."

Immediately after selecting Bae Dong-hyun in the 2nd draft, Manager Seol mobilized his personal network in the baseball world to understand the player more deeply. He explained, "I contacted acquaintances and coaches who know Bae Dong-hyun well and carefully inquired about his strengths and training methods."

This manager's interest led to the player's motivation. Manager Seol said with satisfaction, "When I offered advice during spring camp, Bae Dong-hyun said, 'If you give me a chance to play, I will work really hard and prepare well.' The passion he showed during the camp has now manifested in these results."

Currently, Bae Dong-hyun shares a strong pillar of the team's starting rotation with An Woo-jin (27). Being only one year apart and having continuously started in the same games, they are maintaining active communication. Manager Seol revealed a strategy to maximize the synergy between the two players, stating, "We plan to operate An Woo-jin and Bae Dong-hyun separately starting from their next appearances." It is no longer a 1+1 appearance strategy.

He also mentioned specific figures regarding future goals. Manager Seol emphasized, "We expect An Woo-jin to achieve 10 or more wins, and at his current pace, Bae Dong-hyun could also reach around 10 wins. That would be a great help to the team's performance. With Alcántara joining as well, our goal is to maintain a '50% win rate' every week." Last season, the only reliable domestic starter was Ha Young-min (31), so now two trustworthy cards have been added.

A pitcher who was pushed out of Hanwha's protection list has transformed into Kiwoom's 'lucky charm' and is now aiming for the league's win championship. The baseball world is watching closely to see how far this momentum, born from Manager Seol Jong-jin's conviction and Bae Dong-hyun's determination, will go.

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*This content was translated by AI.