"The whole family are Hanwha fans": Moon Hyun-bin, the 17th-year-old catcher who grew up watching him, earned the national team jersey by surpassing his senior high school teammates. "I will definitely bring back a gold medal." [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"At first, I wasn't sure if it was a dream or reality."

Jeon Young-hoon (17, Seogwang High School), who nurtured his dream of becoming a baseball player while watching Moon Hyun-bin (22, Hanwha Eagles), earned the national team jersey as a second-year student alongside formidable third-year seniors.

Jeon Young-hoon will compete in the 2026 Asian Baseball Confederation (BFA) U-18 Asian Baseball Championship to be held from the 7th to 13 in Taipei, Taiwan. Deoksu High School head coach Jung Yun-jin (55) leads Lee Kkeu-neun (CEO) team in its bid to reclaim the title for the first time since 2018.

Among the 20th members of the national team, only two are second-year students: pitcher Han Gyu-min (17, Daejeon High School) and Jeon Young-hoon. The catcher position is even more special. Despite experience being crucial for catchers in high school baseball, Jeon Young-hoon made the final roster as one of only two catchers, alongside Won Ji-woo (18, Gangneung High School), by surpassing third-year players.

Jeon Young-hoon said, "I never expected to be selected, so I'm honored." He recalled, "When our suspended game against Baemyung High School was called off, I received news of my selection for the national team. At first, I wondered if it was a dream or reality. When we left Mokdong Stadium and my parents congratulated me, that's when I realized, 'This is really happening.'"

His selection as a surprise pick is backed by an impressive performance this year. According to the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA), Jeon Young-hoon, a right-handed batter who throws left-handed, stands 177 cm tall and weighs 78 kg. He has been Seogwang High School's starting catcher since his first year. This season, he played in 25 games with a batting average of .387 (29 hits in 75 at-bats), two home runs, 24 RBIs, 22 runs scored, seven stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .549, a slugging percentage of .587, and an OPS of 1.136.

His performance also marked a historic moment for Seogwang High School. Under Jeon Young-hoon's leadership, the team claimed its first Cheongryonggi Cup title in 71 years since its founding, winning the national tournament for the first time in 44 years.

KBO club scouts also took notice of his growth. One scout stated, "This year, many third-year catchers underperformed due to various injuries, but Jeon Young-hoon stood out." He added, "While he may not yet possess the defensive skills of past players like Lee Yul-ye (SSG Landers) or current standout Won Ji-woo (Gangneung High School), he understands game management and has a strong arm. Most importantly, his ability to make solid contact means he is not significantly behind third-year players."

Jung Yun-jin (55), head coach of Deoksu High School who leads this youth national team, also praised Jeon's batting skills. Coach Jung said, "Jeon Young-hoon has a very capable bat. We are considering using him as a designated hitter depending on the situation during this tournament." He further revealed, "In the later innings, he may replace Won Ji-woo behind the plate."

When asked about his strengths as a catcher, Jeon Young-hoon pointed to game management rather than flashy throws. He stated, "I am confident in my ability to manage the entire game, such as adjusting pitch selection based on the pitcher's condition." His arm strength is also an asset. During the KBO Next Level Camp he attended in his third year of middle school, his pop time (the time it takes for a catcher to transfer the ball from the mitt to the infielder's glove to prevent a stolen base at second) reached as low as 1.88 seconds.

However, he is still only a high school sophomore. Jeon Young-hoon candidly assessed himself: "I think my arm is strong, but my throwing balance fluctuates frequently. That's something I need to fix quickly." He also expressed gratitude for Won Ji-woo's encouragement: "Won Ji-woo told me not to worry too much since I'm a second-year student who was selected for doing well."

Jeon Young-hoon's reason for becoming a catcher was surprisingly simple. He shyly smiled and said, "I used to play mostly in the infield, but I didn't get many balls. I wanted to play a position where I would receive more balls, so I started as a catcher."

This decision was made when he was in the second grade of elementary school. Jeon Young-hoon began playing Little League baseball at age seven while accompanying his father. Wanting to be more involved in games than anyone else, he put on the catcher's mask and, after nearly 10 years, became a national team catcher.

Hanwha played a key role in his love for baseball. Born in Daejeon, Jeon Young-hoon smiled and said, "My whole family are Hanwha fans, so I naturally came to like Hanwha." His favorite player now is Hanwha's Moon Hyun-bin. Jeon Young-hoon explained, "Even though Senior Moon Hyun-bin isn't particularly tall, he turns strong hits into line drives. I want to learn from his intense running on the field and his constant determination."

There are also aspects of his batting that remind people of Moon Hyun-bin. Jeon Young-hoon does not consider himself a home run hitter. He said, "I don't think I'm a player who hits many home runs. I aim to hit strong line drives into the strike zone depending on the situation."

As a catcher, he looks up to Samsung Lions' Kang Min-ho (41). Jeon Young-hoon stated, "I want to emulate his passion for guarding the field while wearing the mask for long periods even in the heat."

Now, Jeon Young-hoon awaits his first international tournament as the youngest member of the national team alongside Han Gyu-min and Ham Kke (CEO) team. He will learn from his third-year teammates but must also step up with the bat or behind the plate when needed.

His goal is modest yet ambitious, fitting for a junior player. Jeon Young-hoon shared his determination: "When I first joined the national team, our Seogwang High School captain (Hwang) Dong-min came to support me and even gave me batting gloves as a bet that I would do well. Because of everyone who supported us, I want to help my seniors and return with a gold medal."

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*This content was translated by AI.