[Official] Long-haired pitcher who spent '16 years with LG' ultimately fails to rebound... Right-hander who traveled the entire country from 'Gwangju→Seoul→Jeju→Daejeon→Incheon→Suwon' also departs! KT, ahead of Korea Series, notifies 10 players of non-renewal

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Choi Dong-hwan (37), who played for the LG Twins for 16 years before heading to the KT Wiz in search of a new opportunity, is leaving the team again after just two years. Jo Yi-hyun (31), who started in Gwangju and traveled through Seoul and Jeju before joining the Hanwha Eagles, SK Wyverns-SSG Landers, and KT, also ultimately failed to bloom at KT.

On the 22nd, KT officially announced, "We have decided not to renew contracts with 10 players: Choi Dong-hwan, Jo Yi-hyun, Lee Hyun-min (25), Lee Jun-myung (24), Kwon Hyo-jun (23), Kim Min-seong (32), Jung Jung-woo (22), Kim Gyu-han (21), Park Chi-seong (23), and Choi Dong-hee (23)."

The most notable name is Choi Dong-hwan. After attending Inheon Elementary School, Sunlin Middle School, and Kyungdong High School, Choi was drafted by LG in the second round, 13th overall pick of the 2009 KBO Rookie Draft. He played for a single team for an impressive 16 seasons through 2024. His long hair was his trademark, and he was also well-known for his fan service. A player familiar to fans who quietly handled the dirty work in the bullpen, he contributed to LG's first combined championship in 29 years with a 3.19 ERA in 45 games in 2023.

As his standing diminished in 2024, he directly requested release to extend his active career, and KT reached out. Last year at spring training, he was selected as a rebound candidate for the KT bullpen, but results did not match expectations.

Choi recorded just one win, one loss, and an 8.68 ERA in 20 first-division games last year, and did not take the mound in the first division at all this year. In the Futures League, he posted a record of three wins, one loss, seven holds, and a 6.11 ERA in 35⅓ innings across 36 games. His career KBO League record stands at 11 wins, seven losses, four saves, 16 holds, and a 5.28 ERA in 387 innings over 364 games.

Jo Yi-hyun, too, must find a new team after a long journey. After graduating from Gwangju Songjeong-dong Elementary School, he attended Seoul Baesae Middle School before advancing to Jeju High School. In 2014, he was selected in the fifth round, 47th overall pick of Hanwha's second draft. He later moved to SK as a compensation player for Jung Woo-ram's free agency transfer, served his military service at the Army Baseball Team, and went through SK-SSG.

After being released by SSG following the 2022 season, he passed KT's tryout test to continue his active career. At KT, he received opportunities alternating between starting pitcher and long reliever roles. Last year, he recorded a 3.60 ERA with 10 wins and three losses in 18 Futures League games, even claiming the Southern League double crown for wins and ERA.

However, he failed to secure a first-division opportunity again this year. He managed just three losses, one save, one hold, and a 5.67 ERA in 39⅔ innings across 24 Futures League games. His career first-division record is 10 wins, 18 losses, one save, one hold, and a 6.29 ERA in 254⅔ innings over 116 games.

Most of the remaining players have been waiting for opportunities in the Futures League. Right-hander Lee Hyun-min, who joined as a developmental player in 2024, left a Futures career record of two wins, three losses, one save, four holds, and a 6.29 ERA in 44⅓ innings across 37 games without debuting in the first division. Right-hander Lee Jun-myung, standing at 193 cm, participated in the early draft from Dong-eui University and was selected by KT in the 10th round, 100th overall pick in 2023. He recorded a Futures career record of three wins, eight losses, four holds, and a 7.63 ERA in 87⅓ innings across 43 games.

Kwon Hyo-jun, who joined as a developmental player this year after attending Daegu High School and Wonkwang University, recorded one loss, one hold, and a 5.11 ERA in 11 Futures League games. Catcher Kim Min-seong, who joined KT as a developmental player in 2017, left a career Futures League record of a .364 batting average (four hits in 11 at-bats) and one RBI in five games.

Right-hander Jung Jung-woo, selected in the seventh round, 68th overall pick of the second draft in 2022, recorded a 6.75 ERA in 21⅓ innings across 16 Futures League games this year and did not debut in the first division. Kim Gyu-han, who joined as a developmental player this year, also leaves the team after one season with one loss, two saves, and a 10.64 ERA in 14 Futures League games.

Catcher Park Chi-seong, from Kyung Hee University, joined as a developmental player this year and recorded a .250 batting average, one home run, and three RBIs in 27 Futures League games. Outfielder Choi Dong-hee, who joined in the sixth round, 58th overall pick of the second draft in 2022, left a career Futures League record of a .209 batting average, four home runs, 22 RBIs, and seven stolen bases in 118 games without stepping onto the first-division stage.

KT also announced the retirement of Moon Sang-cheol (35), who joined via the founding special draft and played for a single team for 12 years. Following founding member Moon Sang-cheol's departure from the uniform, KT additionally parted ways with 10 players, officially beginning its roster restructuring work toward the 2027 season while preparing for the Korea Series as the regular season leader.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original