"And so on" — no wonder MLB is paying attention... Kim Ju-won's "home run + double power explosion" proves why "many teams will want him if he goes through posting" [APBC]

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"If NC Dinos submit him for posting next year, he will receive offers from many teams."

There was a reason Major League Baseball (MLB) is taking notice. Kim Ju-won (24, NC Dinos) once again showcased his full abilities at an international tournament.

In the first preliminary match against Australia at the 2026 Asia Pro Baseball Championship (APBC) held at Tokyo Dome in Japan on the 12th, Kim Ju-won started as the leadoff hitter and shortstop, recording two hits in five at-bats including a two-run home run, one stolen base, two RBIs, and one run scored.

Although the team suffered an 8-7 comeback loss, Kim Ju-won's performance was more than enough to draw admiration.

Kim Ju-won is undoubtedly the best shortstop in the KBO League. Last year, he won both the Golden Glove and the KBO Defensive Player of the Year award.

The official MLB website, MLB.com, recently reported on Noh Si-hwan's (Hanwha) posting application, stating:

"While Noh Si-hwan is an immediate target, young KBO League stars like Kim Do-young (KIA Tigers) and Gwak Bin (Doosan Bears) are already clearly listed on MLB scouts' 'future acquisition lists.'"

It continued, "According to a synthesis of recent local media reports and anonymous MLB scout evaluations, big league teams have been meticulously tracking the potential and value of KBO League players for several years," mentioning Kim Ju-won's name as one such player.

MLB.com cited the Tampa Bay Rays, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and Seattle as teams that would suit Kim Ju-won, predicting, "Kim Ju-won is a switch-hitting middle infielder capable of playing shortstop or second base, possessing abundant speed and solid plate discipline. If NC Dinos submit him for posting next year, he will receive offers from many teams."

It added, "The likelihood that he will become a player with immense power in the Major Leagues is low, but his home run numbers are on an upward trend, having recorded a career-high 18 home runs in 2026 and hitting more than 20 doubles for two consecutive years." The article also conveyed a scout's evaluation: "He shows incredible athleticism in the infield. He is a player capable of recording 30 to 40 stolen bases every year."

While noting that he has the ability to hit double-digit home runs even in the Major Leagues, the article evaluated him as closer to a "gap-to-gap" hitter (one who hits balls into the gaps between left and right) who shows more power from the left side of the batter's box. It gave high marks, stating, "He may not be as attractive as a 40-home-run hitter, but a player showing such versatile skills at one of the most important defensive positions on the field is needed by almost every team."

Kim Ju-won's results in international tournaments add further credibility to these evaluations. Since hitting two home runs at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, leaving a strong impact, Kim Ju-won swung hot with a .429 batting average at that year's APBC and won gold medals for two consecutive tournaments with a .444 batting average at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games in September last month.

Before this tournament, Kim Ju-won had appeared in 21 games as a national team player, recording a .328 batting average (21 hits in 64 at-bats), two home runs, nine RBIs, seven runs scored, an on-base percentage of .392, a slugging percentage of .484, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .876. He shone again on this day.

He also displayed his clutch instincts in the K-Baseball Series held last year. In the second game against Japan, with the team trailing 6-7 in the bottom of the ninth inning and two outs, he crushed a 155 km/h fastball from Japan's top setup man Ota Taishi, hitting a tying solo home run to save the national team from the brink of defeat.

Deployed as the leadoff hitter to amplify the power of the middle of the order consisting of Kim Do-young (KIA), Ahn Hyun-min (KT), and Han Dong-hee (Lotte), Kim Ju-won grounded out to left field in his first at-bat and hit a ground ball to second base in the third inning. However, he completely changed the atmosphere in the sixth inning when the team was trailing 0-4.

Entering the batter's box with one out and a runner on second, Kim Ju-won took an aggressive swing and hit a massive two-run home run that cleared the left field fence for a distance of 130 meters. The national team subsequently scored four more runs to take the lead.

In the seventh inning, after reaching base on a fielder's choice, he stole second base with two outs and a runner on first, passing along a scoring opportunity, but Ahn Hyun-min grounded out to center field, so no run was scored.

As the bullpen wavered, allowing a tie in the eighth inning and a lead change in the ninth, Kim Ju-won entered the batter's box with one out and a runner on first. He hit a large double over the center fielder's head, providing an opportunity to retake the lead. With runners on second and third and one out, a single would have tied the game, but Kim Do-young's sacrifice fly only allowed them to chase down one run, resulting in a disappointing 8-7 loss.

While Kim Ju-won fulfilled his role 100%, the silence of the middle of the order was painful. With victory in the Japan match scheduled for 7 p.m. on the 13th being crucial, the weight on Kim Ju-won's shoulders grows heavier.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original