* Translated by AI

Starnews

'Still ranked first in game-winning hits a month after missing time' 20-year-old problem solver, will AG happen? "Possible return by June"

Published:

Shin Hwasup

*This content was translated by AI.

Doosan's Park Jun-soon. /Photo=Doosan Bears
Doosan's Park Jun-soon. /Photo=Doosan Bears
Park Jun-soon. /Photo=StarNews
Park Jun-soon. /Photo=StarNews

It has been nearly a month since he last played, yet he remains ranked first in the league for game-winning hits. This is evidence of how powerful his problem-solving ability was during the early part of the season.

Doosan second-year infielder Park Jun-soon (20) is preparing to return to the field. He was placed on the injured list on May 16 due to a right thigh muscle strain. Doosan manager Kim Won-hyung (54) said last week about Park Jun-soon, "He has now begun technical training. He is not yet at 100% for running, so he is minimizing lower-body activity." He added, "Based on his current condition, we have diagnosed that he can return to the first division within this month after playing in the minor league."

Before his injury, Park Jun-soon appeared in 39 games this season, recording a .316 batting average (155 at-bats, 49 hits), 6 home runs, 27 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.881. In particular, his clutch ability to deliver a hit at critical moments stood out. In the 18th wins (out of 41 games) that Doosan achieved until Park's last appearance on May 15, he hit a game-winning hit in 6 games. Since then, Park Jun-soon continues to share the top spot in the KBO League for game-winning hits alongside Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers, 6 hits).

Doosan's Park Jun-soon (52, center) receives congratulations from teammates after hitting a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th extra inning during the Jamsil LG game on April 26. /Photo=Doosan Bears
Doosan's Park Jun-soon (52, center) receives congratulations from teammates after hitting a walk-off hit in the bottom of the 10th extra inning during the Jamsil LG game on April 26. /Photo=Doosan Bears
Park Jun-soon (right) poses for a photo with Yang Hae-young, President of the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (then Vice President) at the '2024 Futures Star Awards' ceremony hosted by StarNews. /Photo=StarNews
Park Jun-soon (right) poses for a photo with Yang Hae-young, President of the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (then Vice President) at the '2024 Futures Star Awards' ceremony hosted by StarNews. /Photo=StarNews

After graduating from Deoksu High School, Park Jun-soon was selected as the 6th overall pick in the first round of the 2025 Rookie Draft, the earliest among position players, by Doosan. He was recognized for his potential by winning the Baseball Star Award at the '2024 Futures Star Awards' ceremony hosted by StarNews.

In his debut season of 2025, he appeared in 91 games, posting a .284 batting average, 80 hits, 4 home runs, and 19 RBIs. In his second season this year, he finally exploded with his potential, showcasing batting and decisiveness at the league's highest level. In second base defense, he committed 3 errors in the first 5 games of the season, but only added 2 more in the following 34 games, demonstrating stable play.

Park Jun-soon playing second base. /Photo=Doosan Bears
Park Jun-soon playing second base. /Photo=Doosan Bears
Park Jun-soon at bat. /Photo=StarNews
Park Jun-soon at bat. /Photo=StarNews

Park Jun-soon is also being mentioned as a strong candidate for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games (AG) baseball national team, which will be held in September this year. National team manager Ryu Ji-hyun (55) and others are scheduled to announce the final roster for the Asian Games team on the 11th.

In mid-May, Park Jun-soon said, "Participation in the Asian Games will naturally follow if I perform better. I am more focused on the team winning," while also expressing hope, "Still, it would be good to be selected for the national team." As Park Jun-soon, who is blossoming in his skills just two years after his debut, is expected to see if he can also realize his dream of wearing the Taegeuk mark, attention is gathering.

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*This content was translated by AI.

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