"Ultimately, we must use him as a starter" — the left-handed pitcher who secured the "overall first pick" with a 0-0 record, the key to Hanwha's five-starter competition is "walk control" [Busan Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

He has been given a fourth chance. Can Hwang Jun-seo (21, Hanwha Eagles) earn the stamp of approval from Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) as a candidate for the fifth starter?

Hwang Jun-seo is scheduled to start against the Lotte Giants in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, beginning at 5 p.m. on the 7th.

Hwang Jun-seo, who split time between the starting rotation and the bullpen this season, posted a 1-2 record with an ERA of 6.35 in eight appearances, leaving room for improvement. He has now seized another opportunity to fill the remaining vacancy in the starting rotation.

Hwang Jun-seo, who excelled at Jangchung High School and won the overall prize in the baseball category at the 2023 Futures League Star Awards in the fall, was selected first overall by Hanwha in the rookie draft that same year. He struggled in the second half of his debut season in 2024 and the following year, showing physical issues compared to the first half.

Consequently, ahead of this season, he gained about 5 kilograms and felt his pitches had more velocity, expressing his own expectations.

On April 5, he made his first appearance against the Doosan Bears, starting the game. He pitched 4⅓ innings, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out seven batters, delivering an impressive performance. However, it was a regrettable moment when he was pulled in the fifth inning with one out and runners on first and third, after which a relief pitcher surrendered a home run, resulting in an earned run.

Following three consecutive relief appearances, Hwang Jun-seo started against the LG Twins on April 23. He walked the leadoff batter with a straight pitch but recorded two outs. However, he was quickly replaced due to inherited runners, and the relief pitcher who followed allowed a walk and a hit, leading to runs scored and another increase in his earned run total.

The April 29 game against the SSG Landers was disappointing. He lasted only 1⅔ innings, allowing two hits (including one home run), six walks, and five runs, collapsing before eventually being sent down to the minor league.

After reorganizing as a starter in the minor league, he was reactivated on the 27th of last month. Hwang Jun-seo started all three games, pitching 17⅔ innings with a 1-0 record and an ERA of 2.55, delivering stable performances. Most significantly, he reduced his walks to 3.06 per nine innings across those three games. In contrast, his walk rate in the first division this season reached 6.88 per nine innings.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon had a clear plan for Hwang Jun-seo's utilization. Ahead of the NC Dinos game on the 27th of last month, he said, "I was considering whether to use Jun-seo today or use (Park) Jun-young. However, since Jun-young is making his first appearance, I plan to try Jun-seo first and then prepare accordingly based on the outcome."

He added, "Ultimately, we must use him as a starter. If Jun-seo can pitch enough innings, that would be fine. Otherwise, we are thinking that when Jun-seo is pitching, Jun-young will be waiting behind him."

Park Jun-young, who signed with Hanwha as a development player, secured the first-ever starting win by a development player in KBO history in his debut against LG on the 10th of last month. On the 27th against NC, he pitched 5⅔ innings allowing three runs, appearing to be the frontrunner among the five-starter candidates.

However, in the game against Doosan on the 2nd, he surrendered two home runs in just three innings, allowing three runs, leaving room for regret. This naturally shifted the opportunity to Hwang Jun-seo.

To make the most of his fourth starting opportunity, he must make a clear impression. Achieving at least five innings pitched, which he has not accomplished even once this season, is crucial. To that end, the key will likely be how well he can control the walks that have repeatedly held him back.

Park Jun-young has not appeared since his outing on the 2nd. As Manager Kim publicly stated, he is expected to wait behind Hwang Jun-seo. Since Park Jun-young can seize the opportunity at any time if Hwang Jun-seo struggles, Hwang Jun-seo must make a definitive impression on this day to compete for the fifth starter spot.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.