'Another huge honor for a citizen-owned club!' Ulsan Whales also produced the league's RBI champion → Alex Hall makes history with his first individual title

*This content was translated by AI.

Another major milestone has arrived for Ulsan Whales, the first citizen-owned club that has shaken up the KBO Futures League since its inaugural year. The team's ace catcher, Alex Hall, has emerged as the club's first-ever individual award recipient.

In the 2026 KBO Futures Southern League season, Alex Hall amassed 70 RBIs to confidently claim the RBI champion title. He comfortably surpassed Lee Chang-yong of Samsung Lions, who finished second in the Southern League with 61 RBIs.

This title holds even greater significance for Ulsan Whales. After leading a storm that propelled them to first place in the Southern League within their inaugural season, the club has now produced a holder of a league-representative individual title, firmly demonstrating the strength and competitiveness of this new franchise.

Hall's presence this season was unparalleled. He was the only player on the Ulsan roster to appear in every game, serving as a steadfast pillar for the team. In the physically demanding role of home plate catcher, he led the defense with strong throws and stable pitcher leadership, while at the plate, as the core of the lineup, he consistently delivered RBIs whenever opportunities arose, showcasing his instinct as a problem-solver. His 2026 Futures League regular-season statistics include 96 games played, a batting average of .265 (344 at-bats, 91 hits), 6 home runs, 70 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.751.

Alex Hall, the protagonist of this new history, stated, "It is truly an honor to become the first individual award winner in Ulsan Whales' inaugural season. This record was not achieved alone; it was made possible thanks to my teammates and coaching staff who sweated alongside me throughout the season, as well as the Ulsan fans who supported us without hesitation. I am even more delighted that we were able to conclude our first season meaningfully."

Head Coach Jang Won-jin, who successfully guided the team, also offered his congratulations and encouragement. Coach Jang remarked, "Alex Hall played a crucial role in our lineup throughout the season and delivered excellent results through consistent performance. It is extremely meaningful for me as a manager to have not only led the team to first place in the Southern League in our inaugural year but also produced an individual title winner. I look forward to the players continuing to grow in their respective roles and further writing Ulsan Whales' history."

Meanwhile, buoyed by securing first place in the regular league and winning a title, Ulsan Whales is immediately advancing toward even greater heights. On the 22nd at 6:30 p.m., Ulsan Whales will face Hanwha Eagles in the Futures Championship Series semi-final match at their home stadium, Munsu Baseball Stadium. With Alex Hall's rise as the RBI champion boosting their momentum, all eyes in the baseball world are focused on whether Ulsan can achieve another miracle: winning the Championship Series in their inaugural season.

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*This content was translated by AI.