'The only rookie with full-time first-division registration' Hanwha's Oh Jae-won, who had only 89 plate appearances, expressed gratitude instead: "Even if I don't play, there is so much to learn" [Daejeon Field Report]

*This content was translated by AI.

Hanwha Eagles rookie Oh Jae-won (19) expressed gratitude even for the limited opportunities in the first division.

Oh Jae-won, who graduated from Sindoh Elementary, Bucheon Middle, and Yushin High, joined Hanwha as an outfielder selected third overall in the first round of the 2026 KBO Rookie Draft. During high school, he stood out for his consistent performance, boasting a batting average of 0.421, with strengths in solid contact, speed, and center field defense as a right-handed batter who bats left-handed.

The wall of professional baseball was indeed high. With Hanwha having played 58 games through the 8th, Oh has been going through a difficult adjustment period, recording a batting average of 0.205 and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.518 without a single home run. Consequently, some opinions suggest it might be better for Oh to go to the minor league to gain more game experience and adapt to professional-level pitches. In fact, Oh is the only rookie this year who has played full-time in the first division without being removed from the first-division roster even once. Over 51 games, he primarily appeared as a backup player or pinch hitter, entering the batter's box only 89 times.

Speaking to StarNews in Daejeon, Oh Jae-won said firmly, "I am fine with staying in the first division. There are pros and cons, but I believe simply watching first-division games from the first-division dugout is an incredible experience. There is so much to learn. I can learn how senior players manage games, and the older players next to me give me a lot of good advice."

Such experience accumulated behind the scenes occasionally translates into results. Oh Jae-won started as the leadoff hitter and center fielder in the previous day's (7th) match against the Busan Lotte Giants, going 4-for-6 with one strikeout and three runs scored, leading his team to a 9-8 extra-inning victory. His debut single-game four-hit performance raised his season batting average from 0.167 to 0.205. He drove a difficult foreign investor's slider into a double and created infield hits and runs with his speed.

Oh Jae-won said firmly, "I am not just sitting still on the bench. When an opportunity comes, I try not to miss it, so I kept preparing even while on the bench."

The 4th Hanwha Eagles Cup High School-University All-Star Game was held at Hanwha's home stadium, Daejeon Hanwha Life Park, on this day. As a festival for amateur baseball featuring the top players from high schools and universities, Oh Jae-won also participated here last year alongside rookie Shin Jae-in (19, NC Dinos).

Even on his day off, Oh visited the home stadium and said, "It is truly not easy to come here representing high schools and universities. I am curious to see if there are any good players." He added, "I remember being too nervous during the game last year. The juniors must be very nervous too, so I hope they just enjoy it. Actually, doing more here won't make much of a difference," he smiled.

He was a captain who looked after the night duties of juniors since his Yushin High days. In fact, center fielder Jo Hee-sung (18), who had done night duties with Oh since his sophomore year until 11 p.m., was selected as the only All-Star representing Yushin High on this day.

On this day, with about 3,000 people gathered, including players' families, elementary, Little League, middle school, middle school club players, general fans, and officials, Oh Jae-won warmly offered advice to Daejeon Yucheon Elementary School juniors he unexpectedly met.

Amid a flood of whimsical questions typical of elementary school students, such as "Were your eyebrows always this thick?" and "Was your hair always this red?", Oh Jae-won recalled his own childhood memories and answered each question in considerable detail for a long time.

Oh Jae-won smiled and said, "I hope the juniors are not satisfied with what they are doing now. If they want to play on a bigger stage than this, they must prepare even more. I hope to see them at the professional level with a bit more attention."

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*This content was translated by AI.