'206-Hit Pace' Choi Won-jun: "Actually, 200 hits was a dream goal since my debut" [HOT Interview ③]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz's Choi Won-jun (29) is challenging for 200 hits this season.

He has recorded 116 hits in 79 games (personal record) during the first half. If he maintains this pace (1.47 hits per game), a calculation suggests he could reach a final total of 206 hits. This would make him only the third player in history to achieve such a milestone, following Seo Geon-chang (39, then Nexen) with 201 hits in 2014 and Reyes (32, Lotte) with 202 hits in 2024.

When met at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 9th, Choi Won-jun revealed, "Reaching 200 hits has been a dream goal since my professional debut."

[Choi Won-jun HOT Interview]

① Achieving the batting title with determination: "People keep talking about 'mental strength'... I wanted to show what kind of performance I can deliver"

② 'Princess' Choi Won-jun, when asked, "Are you usually talkative?" → An unexpected reply came back

③ '206-Hit Pace' Choi Won-jun: "Actually, 200 hits was a dream goal since my debut"

Continued in Part 2.

- Let's talk about your 'goal'. What target did you set for this season, your first after moving via FA?

▶ I tend not to set detailed plans because once a goal is defined, it can feel like being chased and become a source of stress. However, since last year was my worst performance and KT reached out to bring me here, I definitely wanted to achieve a batting average of .300 with 150 hits and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) around 0.800.

- Currently, you're exceeding those targets (batting average .363, 116 hits, OPS 0.950). You're leading in batting average and on-base percentage (.441), second in hits, and fourth in runs scored (68), making a quadruple crown possible. Is there any specific title you particularly want to win?

▶ Actually, I love scoring runs the most. Because if players score, the team can put up points, boost other batters' RBI totals, and ultimately, baseball is a sport where you must cross home plate to win. So I've always considered scoring as the most important aspect of the game. (In the runs scored category, Choi Won-jun trails by just one run, tied for first with LG's Austin, Hanwha's Peraza, and KIA's Kim Do-young at 69.) But regardless of the category, even if I'm in first place now, I wonder if it truly matters. Since success isn't something you can force simply by wanting or focusing on it, I believe that if I just do my part, awards may come as a matter of fate.

- During your time at Seoul High School, you received the 'BIC (Baek-Incheon) .412 Award' and the Lee Young-min Batting Award, which led to being selected as the 3rd overall pick in the second round of the 2016 Rookie Draft. What was your goal as a professional player at that time?

▶ When I first joined the team, my biggest dream was to hit 200 hits in a single season. Seeing Seo Geon-chang achieve 200 hits despite playing only 128 games in 2014 made me want to try it myself someday. That's likely why I entered the league with that dream.

- It seems like this season has brought you a great opportunity.

▶ I really want to do it, absolutely must achieve it, and it would be amazing if I could. But as I mentioned earlier, it's not entirely within my control... If I continue to work hard consistently like I am now, I think I'll be able to look back afterward and say, "Ah, I achieved it."

- Let's talk about the team. KT finished the first half in third place, showing a slightly slower pace compared to the early season. How is the atmosphere?

▶ It feels just as good as during the strong start. There are many experienced players who serve as pillars, keeping the mood stable. Baseball isn't something where you can keep winning just because you want to... We're still pushing forward without giving up on being first, and since there are many games left, we're preparing steadily without wavering.

- Moving to a more distant future: How long do you hope to continue your playing career?

▶ Everyone can dream, so I'd like to play longer than anyone else... (laughs) That's my biggest goal, but realistically it might be impossible. So I've always thought, "I hope I can play until I'm 40."

- Is there any record you definitely want to achieve during the rest of your professional career?

▶ When I first entered pro baseball at age 20, I thought, "I want to retire after playing 2,000 games and getting 2,000 hits." I'm not sure if it's possible, but that is my goal. (Current record: 951 games, 883 hits)

- Finally, how would you like to be remembered as a player in the future? "Choi Won-jun was..."

▶ I hope fans remember me as always diligent and giving my best effort... Yes, that's how I'd like to be remembered.

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*This content was translated by AI.