'Strongest Baseball, That Player → Still a 40 million won salary' Won Sung-jun's desperate plea, 'clutch hit again, clutch hit again,' earned the coach's seal of approval

*This content was translated by AI.

He has come a long way, yet remains in an incomplete state. Won Sung-jun (26, Kiwoom Heroes), who had been sharpening his skills, has properly earned the coach's seal of approval for trusting and deploying him.

On the 14th, Won Sung-jun started as the leadoff left fielder in the home game against Hanwha Eagles at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome, going 2-for-3 with one walk and one RBI.

After hitting a hit in his first at-bat in the second inning, Won Sung-jun added a walk. In the bottom of the eighth inning with two outs and a runner on second base, with the score tied 2-2, he smashed the first pitch cutter from Hanwha's reliable pitcher Lee Sang-gyu, sending the ball to left field and scoring runner Yeo Dong-wook from second base. This became the game-winning run of the day.

After being called up to the first division for the first time this season on the 13th, he started against Hanwha. In the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs and runners on first and second, with the score tied 1-1, he hit a ball to right field against Lee Sang-gyu, driving in the game-winning RBI. It is no small feat to hit back-to-back clutch hits against Lee Sang-gyu, who has become Hanwha's ace reliever, on consecutive days.

After attending Gyeonggi High School and Sungkyunkwan University, Won Sung-jun challenged the professional ranks but was rejected twice. He also received coaching from manager Kim Sung-geun on JTBC's baseball variety program 'Strongest Baseball.' He later attempted the rookie draft again but was not selected.

In October 2023, he received and passed an invitation for a signing test from Kiwoom, beginning his professional career as a development player. In his first season in 2024, he played in 51 games with a batting average of 0.250, showing potential, but in the previous year's 24 games, his average dropped to 0.174. This season, he had no choice but to wait for opportunities in the Futures League.

In 45 Futures League games, he recorded a batting average of 0.304 (135 at-bats, 41 hits), 32 RBIs, 25 runs scored, 34 walks, an on-base percentage of 0.454, a slugging percentage of 0.452, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.906. Finally, on the 13th, he received a call-up to the first division and hit back-to-back clutch hits.

He seized the long-awaited opportunity himself. Although it has only been two games, hitting back-to-back clutch hits, especially right after being called up to the first division, is a significant achievement.

Won Sung-jun said, "I prepared a lot in the second division, and it was really tough. I didn't know when I would be called up, but if I got the chance, I wanted to make the most of my preparation without regrets." He added, "Right now, I am doing exactly that without regrets."

It is not easy for a player with little experience to lead the team to victory every time a chance arises. That is why he is concentrating even more. "I try to focus more during clutch situations. When there are no runners, I aim for home runs, but with runners on base, I try to hit singles, which seems to have led to good results," Won Sung-jun explained. "I wouldn't say I have confidence, but since I never know when or how opportunities will come, I just try to prepare well and not miss them when they arrive."

Although there is still some instability in his defense, he is sweating hard to make up for his shortcomings. Won Sung-jun stated, "I have become better at handling basic balls, but it still seems a bit difficult when facing foreign batters or power hitters." He added, "I have been coming out early so that Coach (Kim) Jun-wan can teach me every day, and we are working hard on fielding and defensive drills together."

Since Kiwoom does not have clear regular starters, opportunities remain open for Won Sung-jun. Whether he shows a more desperate and focused attitude will determine his fate. Immediately after being called up to the first division, Won Sung-jun fulfilled his role at over 100%, properly earning manager Seol Jong-jin's seal of approval.

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

*This content was translated by AI.