'Father's Close Friend's Uncle' Park Byung-ho Hands Ball to Anxious Park Jun-hyun → 'High School Graduate Rookie' Secures Debut Starting Victory Even An Woo-jin Couldn't Achieve

*This content was translated by AI.

It was a day marking the spectacular debut of a 'super rookie' and the emergence of new hope for the Kiwoom Heroes' mound. Park Jun-hyun (19), the number one overall pick in the '2026 Rookie Draft', made a dazzling debut appearance.

On the 26th, Park Jun-hyun started against the Samsung Lions in a home game at Gocheok Sky Dome, located in Guro-gu, Seoul, in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League'. He pitched 5 innings, allowing 4 hits and 4 walks while striking out 4 batters, keeping the scoreless and leading his team to a 2-0 victory.

Park Jun-hyun's starting debut win on this day is the 35th in KBO League history and the 25th for a rookie pitcher. Notably, he secured the title of the 13th 'high school graduate rookie debut starting win' in KBO history, a feat even Kiwoom's legendary ace An Woo-jin had not achieved, proving the value of the number one overall pick in the first round. The Heroes franchise has only had three players achieve a starting win in their debut game: Ha Young-min, Shin Jae-young, and Jung Hyun-woo. It is an accomplishment that An Woo-jin (27), currently regarded as 'the best pitcher in the country', has not achieved.

Park Jun-hyun's powerful fastballs on the mound were enough to electrify Gocheok Dome. Leading with a fastball reaching speeds close to 159 km/h, he dominated the Samsung lineup. He mixed in a high-speed slider reaching 146 km/h and a sharp curveball ranging from the 130s down to a low of 125 km/h, escaping crises and ultimately producing a scoreless game.

After the game, Park Jun-hyun met with on-site reporters. Upon hearing that his fastest pitch reached 159 km/h, he smiled brightly, saying, "I didn't expect the speed to come out that high. I think adrenaline kicked in." He added, "It came out much better than the speeds I threw in the Futures League (max 154 km/h), so I'm satisfied."

Park Jun-hyun drew significant attention from the start of his debut as the son of 'KBO League legend' Park Seok-min (currently Samsung Lions 2nd Division coach). He experienced the pain of failing to make the opening day roster after struggling with an ERA of 16.20 during spring training, but he received steady starting pitcher training in the Futures League.

A special scene was also staged before the game began. This day marked the retirement ceremony for Park Byung-ho (40, currently Kiwoom Reserve Team coach), the heart and symbol of Kiwoom. Coach Park, entered the game as a special entrant as a first baseman and personally handed the ball to starting pitcher Park Jun-hyun. Being a close friend of Park Jun-hyun's father, Park Seok-min, Park Byung-ho reassured his nephew, saying, "Don't worry too much, just do what you do," helping him relax.

Even at the official press conference, Park Byung-ho commented on Park Jun-hyun's starting appearance: "It's the debut game of my close friend's son. It's a professional debut, so there must be many things to worry about. I hope you won't focus too much on my retirement ceremony. I just hope he does well. I hope he prepares well separately from the retirement ceremony and pitches well."

Having learned about his selection to start in Park Byung-ho's retirement ceremony about a week prior, Park Jun-hyun recalled, "After learning that I was selected to start in the coach's retirement ceremony, I felt honored but also nervous. I was really trembling when I received the ball just now, but thanks to the coach's words, I was able to pitch comfortably."

After enjoying a refreshing water shower from his senior teammates, Park Jun-hyun did not forget to pass the ball of victory to his teammates. He showed humility, saying, "When my control wavered in the early innings, senior Kim Geon-hee encouraged me to pitch confidently, and the coaches also gave advice, which allowed me to complete 5 innings. It was thanks to the seniors who came after me holding the line well."

Park Jun-hyun's debut, carrying the spirit of a high school graduate, the 159th km/h lightning-fast fastball, and the energy of legends, became a powerful overture that shook the 2026 KBO League season.

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*This content was translated by AI.