'9G 6 Home Run Explosion' Double-A Bomber Jo Won-bin, Triple-A Pass 'Like Merrill-Cox'? Can He Achieve the Myth of Promotion to the Big Leagues?

*This content was translated by AI.

Although he played only nine games in Double-A after progressing through High Single-A, Jo Won-bin (23) is already drawing attention for his extraordinary performance.

Playing for the Springfield Cardinals, a Double-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, Jo Won-bin started as the designated hitter and right fielder in a home game against the Arkansas Travelers (a Seattle Mariners affiliate) at Route 66 Stadium in Missouri, USA, on the 4th (Korean time). He recorded one hit in three at-bats, including one home run, one run scored, one RBI, and one strikeout.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, leading off the frame, Jo Won-bin hit a solo home run over the left-center field wall. This marked his second consecutive game with a home run and his sixth long ball in just nine games since promotion to Double-A.

His Double-A statistics include a batting average of 0.281 (9 hits in 32 at-bats), six home runs, 13 RBIs, nine runs scored, an on-base percentage of 0.361, a slugging percentage of 0.844, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.205, leaving an immense impact.

The home run was especially meaningful as it came against Kade Anderson, who is ranked as the top pitching prospect in Major League Baseball (MLB), overall fifth among all prospects.

After being selected third overall by Seattle in the 2025 draft, Jo Won-bin made his debut in Double-A this year. In 14 games, he posted an 8-1 record with an ERA of 1.36, a hits allowed rate of 0.160, and a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 0.69, demonstrating overwhelming dominance. He allowed only three home runs in total, yet Jo Won-bin managed to hit one off him.

At this point, it is reasonable to expect a rapid promotion to higher leagues. Not only Triple-A but even direct entry into the Big Leagues could be anticipated. While uncommon, players with overwhelming talent or confirmed potential sometimes skip Triple-A and move directly to MLB after showing promise in Double-A.

Jackson Merrill, selected 27th overall in the first round of the 2021 draft by the San Diego Padres, immediately advanced from Double-A to the Big Leagues in 2024 and was considered a Rookie of the Year candidate with remarkable results. In 156 games that year, he batted 0.292 (162 hits in 554 at-bats), hit 24 home runs, drove in 90 runs, scored 77 runs, and posted an OPS of 0.826.

Jonah Cox, selected by the Oakland Athletics in the sixth round of the 2023 draft and traded to the San Francisco Giants ahead of the 2024 season, played primarily in High Single-A until last year. However, this year he dominated Double-A with a .400 batting average, six home runs, 35 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.096 across 44 games. He skipped Triple-A and was promoted directly to the Big Leagues on April 1st, where he has since delivered solid performances in 23 games with a .269 batting average (7 hits in 26 at-bats), one home run, three RBIs, five runs scored, and an OPS of 0.769.

The St. Louis Cardinals currently rank 10th in the National League in team home runs (97) and also 10th in slugging percentage (0.397). If Jo Won-bin's power-hitting ability proves effective at the Big League level, there is a possibility he could bypass Triple-A and move directly to the majors.

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*This content was translated by AI.