‘PCHA’s only GG-winning second baseman and national team outfielder’ back in the competition at second base… Manager Ryu Ji-hyun’s first test… Who will survive between Jung Eun-won and Moon Hyun-bin?

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The last player to win the Golden Glove at second base, the national team hitter who had moved to the outfield, and the hitter with a fierce determination who joined the team after playing for an independent league have all converged on second base. A fierce competition is anticipated at Hanwha Eagles’ second base position.

On the 21st, Hanwha posted a video titled “Gold medal, Golden Glove… Forget it all and start from the beginning! Finalizing infielders’ fundamentals training” through its official YouTube channel, Eagles TV.

Hanwha appointed Manager Ryu Ji-hyun (55) as the new head coach on the 13th of last month. After holding an inauguration ceremony on the 16th, the team has been conducting final training at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark starting the very next day.

Rather than focusing on the meaning of “final” (as in end-of-season), Manager Ryu Ji-hyun expressed his determination to immediately prepare for the upcoming season. While he has seen players perform with the national team and gained insights while serving as a commentator, directly observing their training is a different matter. Therefore, it is more accurate to say that both the players and Manager Ryu have already begun preparing for the new season.

A war is unfolding in infield training, particularly at the second base position. Jung Eun-won (26), who won the Golden Glove at second base in 2013—his first as a franchise player since Jung Keun-woo in 2013 and eight years later—was discharged from the military service unit (Sangmu) in June last year.

The new season is expected to be one of reputation recovery for Jung Eun-won. After serving as the starting second baseman until 2022, Jung experienced a sharp decline starting from the 2023 season when Moon Hyun-bin (22) joined the team.

In the 2024 season, he was also overshadowed by Hwang Young-mok (27), who joined after playing for an independent league, and spent more time in the outfield.

Coincidentally, Moon Hyun-bin has completely transformed into an outfielder starting from the 2025 season. His hitting skills have improved rapidly, establishing him as a national team-level player.

However, ahead of next season, he is preparing to return to second base. From his first training session, he has been conducting defensive drills at second base alongside Hwang Young-mok and Jung Eun-won.

Expectations for strengthening infield defense are even higher given that Manager Ryu Ji-hyun won the Golden Glove as a shortstop twice Cha Rye-na (수상) while competing in the same era against outstanding rivals such as Park Jin-man and Lee Jong-beom.

According to the team’s YouTube channel, Manager Ryu Ji-hyun said during the first training session, “I often use the term ‘habit.’ You must cultivate good habits to produce results in urgent moments or various situations during a game.” He added, “The difference lies in how you perform fundamental drills: whether you create results or make an error and throw your cap in frustration. That is the distinction.”

He continued, “The typical difference between a good defender and a poor one is whether they can endure when the bounce changes or if they rush in.” He noted, “Poor defenders rush in when the bounce changes once, becoming even more frantic. Those who know how to take a proper backstep are good defenders. One must not fear the backstep.” After demonstrating examples of incorrect and correct backsteps, he stated, “With enough training, it becomes natural.”

In the second training session, more positive aspects were discovered. After closely observing Moon Hyun-bin during infield defensive drills, Manager Ryu Ji-hyun said, “You have improved much better than yesterday. You were trying to use only your wrists, but now you are using your lower body as well.” He added, “You must build your lower body first. If you try to throw quickly by turning only with your upper body, it will absolutely not work. The worse the situation, the more you need to engage your lower body. That is what makes a good player. I hate that (rushing the throw) the most. It’s terrible baseball.”

A quiet but fierce competition is also unfolding among the players. After watching Moon Hyun-bin’s training, Hwang Young-mok said, “Oh~ Nagoya,” implying that he is different because he came back after winning a gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games. Coach Kim Woo-seok then remarked to Jung Eun-won, “Aren’t you the Golden Glove winner?” Feeling embarrassed about his subsequent slump, Jung Eun-won replied, “I returned it,” with an awkward smile.

Manager Ryu encouraged the players in different ways: he praised Moon Hyun-bin’s exceptional training attitude and determination as he embarked on a new transformation; he commended Jung Eun-won’s elegant defensive movements, who urgently needs to regain confidence; and he pointed out Hwang Young-mok’s disappointing habits, despite him being the most accustomed to second base.

It is a competition of good faith in the truest sense. If Moon Hyun-bin emerges as the winner, he can play at second base and further increase his value. If Jung Eun-won secures the position, it will mean that Hanwha’s player depth has become more solid. Even if Hwang Young-mok becomes the starting second baseman, there is an option for Moon Hyun-bin to return to the outfield, and it could serve as a motivation for Jung Eun-won to strive harder as a backup.

Of course, none of them may be the final answer. Last year, Lee Do-yoon held Hanwha’s second base position for the longest time. He may also retain the starting spot.

Upon taking office, Manager Ryu stated that traffic management among the position players was necessary. Depending on the results from offseason training, some players may be utilized as trade cards. Therefore, expectations are heightened for Hanwha’s second base competition ahead of the season.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original