*This content was translated by AI.
Right-handed 'sidearm' pitcher Park Jun-young (24, Hanwha Eagles, No. 68) captivated baseball fans with his powerful pitching. Although he became the losing pitcher, his command on the mound was more complete than that of any winning pitcher. Stepping out as Hanwha's fifth starter, he delivered what can only be described as 'crazy pitching' at Gocheok's mound.
Park Jun-young started against the Kiwoom Heroes in an away game of the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League' held at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 13th. He pitched 6⅓ innings, allowing 3 hits (1 home run), striking out 7 batters, issuing no walks, and giving up 2 earned runs. He was replaced in the bottom of the 7th inning with one out and runners on second base while the score was tied 1-1. His own responsibility runner crossed home plate, saddling him with the dishonor of being the losing pitcher for the second time this season, but his performance was flawless.
On this day, Park Jun-young showcased 'perfect' pitching through the bottom of the 5th inning with one out, allowing no baserunners to any batter, completely dominating the Kiwoom lineup. Although his perfect game bid ended sadly after surrendering a solo home run to Kim Geon-hee while leading 1-0, Park Jun-young remained unfazed. He retired the following batters, turning Yu Dong-wook into a shortstop grounder and Won Sung-jun into a swinging strikeout, pitching well through the 5th inning.
His clutch ability also shone. Facing a crisis in the bottom of the 6th with two outs and a runner on third, Park Jun-young struck out left-handed batter Kim Woong-bin, showing the guts to end the inning without allowing a run. Park Jun-young's fastest fastball on this day reached 144 km/h, which was not particularly fast, but he completely stole the timing of the opposing batters by mixing various breaking balls such as curveballs, sliders, and changeups to control the pace.
However, a regrettable scene occurred in the 7th inning. After striking out leadoff hitter Hiura to build momentum, Park Jun-young allowed a two-base hit to the right field by Choi Ju-hwan with one out before leaving the mound. His pitch count was also acceptable at 83 pitches (56 strikes). The reliever Lee Sang-gyu, who entered the game, surrendered a go-ahead RBI hit to Won Sung-jun with two outs and runners on first and second, which was recorded as Park Jun-young's earned run. Unable to even tie the game, he narrowly failed to erase the losing pitcher tag.
Judging only by the result, it was a disappointing game, but the long innings Park Jun-young pitched and the game management process were a huge gain for Hanwha's starting rotation. Through this game, Park Jun-young broke his own single-game records for most innings pitched (previously 5⅔ innings) and most strikeouts (previously 7). He also achieved his debut quality start (starting pitcher pitching 6 or more innings with 3 or fewer earned runs), lowering his season ERA from 4.58 to 4.13.
This is a reversal that would have been unimaginable for Park Jun-young just a few months ago. A graduate of Chungam High School and Cheongwoon University, Park Jun-young was a 'baseball orphan' who went undrafted by all 10 KBO teams in the rookie draft. After failing to be selected in the draft three times (2021 season, 2023 season, and 2026 season), he barely made it into a Hanwha development player uniform through a tryout.
Hanwha fans call him 'Fiery Park Jun-young' after he joined the team as a development player through the baseball variety show 'Bulkkot Baseball'. There are currently two players named Park Jun-young on Hanwha: Park Jun-young (23, No. 96) and 'Fiery Park Jun-young'. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon also smiled when asked by reporters how to distinguish between them before the game, saying, "(No. 68 Park Jun-young) is the one who throws sidearm. His face is different, so we distinguish him well."
This 'Fiery Park Jun-young' did not miss the opportunity that came his way. On May 10 against Daejeon LG, he pitched 5 scoreless innings, writing history as the first-ever development player to earn a debut start win in KBO League history. He has now safely completed his seventh appearance on the first-division stage.
After performing brilliantly in the Futures League (second division) with 7 games, 4 wins, no losses, and an ERA of 1.29, he was called up by manager Kim Kyung-moon and is now standing tall as a starting pitcher who confidently plays a key role on the first-division stage.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
