"100 out of 100 points": 'Unsung Hero' Won Ji-woo, who seized the opportunity, emerges as the top catcher prospect following Lee Yul-ye

*This content was translated by AI.

Another major catcher prospect has emerged to follow Lee Yul-ye (20, SSG Landers) from Gangneung High School. Won Ji-woo (18), this year's top high school catcher prospect, demonstrated his value on the international stage as well.

Won Ji-woo was named the 'Unsung Hero' by the national team bench in their victory over Taiwan in the first Group B match of the 14th U-18 Asian Youth Baseball Championship on the 7th.

South Korea national team coach Nam In-hwan evaluated after the game, "The bottom of the fourth inning with one out and a runner on first base was the turning point of today's game. Won Ji-woo prevented the momentum from shifting by stopping the opposing second batter's quick stolen base to second."

The Jeong Yun-jin (CEO) team manager also gave a thumbs-up. Manager Jung stated, "Won Ji-woo delivered a perfect performance defensively in the Taiwan match, regardless of his at-bat. 100 out of 100 points," and added, "Especially, his leadership skills were excellent."

In fact, every time runners advanced, Won Ji-woo's stable blocking and bold lead lightened the burden on Hahyun-seung (Busan High) and Eom Jun-sang (Deoksu High). Meeting reporters at the national team hotel in Taipei, Taiwan, on the 9th, Won Ji-woo smiled, saying, "When I stopped a stolen base during a crisis in the fourth inning, an indescribable joy flooded over me."

Won Ji-woo is a right-handed batter and right-handed throwing catcher who transferred from Gimcheon Middle School to Suwon Buk Middle School before heading to Gangneung High School for baseball studies. According to the Korea Baseball Softball Association (KBSA), he has a sturdy build of 181cm and 85kg, with compact swings, a strong arm, and bold leads cited as his strengths.

He was not a catcher from the start. During elementary school, he played both pitcher and third baseman. When the team needed a catcher, he volunteered himself, eventually securing his position as the main catcher.

Won Ji-woo emphasized, "I think of a catcher as the commander on the field. Just as a building won't collapse if its pillars are solid, I approach games with the mindset that if I am solid, the team won't fall."

His batting growth is also noticeable. While his batting average remained in the .200s until last year, this season he recorded a .400 average (80 at-bats, 32 hits), one home run, 24 RBIs, and 27 runs scored. Even during the Hanwha Eagles Cup High School-College All-Star Game early in the season, he posted a .396 batting average and an OPS of 1.088, already receiving high praise for his offensive capabilities.

Won Ji-woo attributes his growth to his mindset. He said, "I changed my attitude. While I trained somewhat passively until last year, this year I approached training more actively and proactively." He added, "With the resolve to focus on every single ball as if it were my last year before entering the professional league, I entered this season with that determination."

Scouts' evaluations are also positive. A KBO team scout told StarNews, "He has been famous as a catcher with batting talent since his Suwon Buk Middle School days. After joining Gangneung High, he grew steadily in both offense and defense to the point where people said he was closer to a defensive-type catcher." The scout continued, "He may not match what Lee Yul-ye showed during his time at Gangneung High, but he is a player who can grow just as much."

Another KBO team scout also said, "Gaining extensive game experience at Gangneung High School is a strength. Experience is an element that cannot be ignored when evaluating catchers," and gave him high marks for his stability.

Won Ji-woo's strength remains defense. He possesses a strong arm with an average pop time to second base of 1.9 seconds, and his ability to read the game flow has continued to grow steadily. The player he admires most is also Gangneung High senior Lee Yul-ye. When asked about his role model, Won Ji-woo answered without hesitation, "Lee Yul-ye hyung."

Lee Yul-ye entered the professional league two years earlier and left a short but strong impression from his debut season. He hit back-to-back home runs in crucial situations late in the season, showing boldness as well. The two are still in contact. Won Ji-woo shared, "Even after finishing the Taiwan match, Lee Yul-ye hyung contacted me. He told me he was doing well and advised me not to worry too much about batting since defense is important for catchers, but to focus on defense."

This year's high school scene features quite a few catcher prospects, including Seol Jae-min of Deoksu High, Yoo Je-min of Hwimun High, Kim Sun-bin of Gwangju Ilgo High, and Im Tae-kyung of Baejae High. Among them, Won Ji-woo has risen as one of the first names mentioned for a catcher, adding balance between offense and defense, game experience, and defensive stability shown on the national team.

He is further elevating his strengths while playing alongside pitchers considered the future of Korean baseball, such as Hahyun-seung, Eom Jun-sang, Park Geun-seo, and Yoon Ye-seong. Won Ji-woo emphasized, "My strength is being bold in everything, whether it's plays or leads," and stated his ambitious goal: "I want to emulate the bold play that comes from Lee Yul-ye hyung's defensive ability and confidence. I want to continue the legacy of Gangneung High catchers."

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*This content was translated by AI.