"Are we the Rookie of the Year anyway?" Starting vs. bullpen, first and second-ranked special rookies, what do we think of each other
"Are we the Rookie of the Year anyway?" Starting vs. bullpen, first and second-ranked special rookies, what do we think of each other
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Professional baseball Kiwoom Heroes rookie left-hander Chung Hyun-woo (19) and Hanwha Eagles rookie right-hander Jung Woo-joo (19) expressed confidence in each other for the Rookie of the Year award.
The rookies who are drawing the most attention in this year's KBO League are by far Chung and Chung Woo-joo. Both Chung and Jung showed remarkable performances in the high school baseball leagues, which were considered the biggest draft rookie players last year. Chung showed remarkable perfection as an ace for Deoksu High School, recording 11 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 1.24 in 29 games (101 ⅓ innings) in high school, while Jung was an ace for Jeon High School, recording 4 wins and 1 loss with an ERA of 1.58 in 16 games (45 ⅔ innings).
Chung Hyeon-woo received the first overall pick and Jung Woo-joo the second overall pick in the 2025 rookie draft, proving his reputation as the biggest fish in the draft. He also signed a contract with a down payment of 500 million won, the largest amount for rookies.
Chung Hyun-woo and Jung Woo-joo attended the "2025 KBO Rookie Orientation" held at the Daejeon Convention Center on the 7th along with other rookie players. Chung Hyun-woo and Jung Woo-joo, who played their first schedule as KBO League players, listened to basic education and advice from seniors that KBO League players should know.
"The most memorable thing is that I have nothing to lose by being humble and kind," said Chung Hyeon-woo, who said, "Now I'm a professional baseball player, and everyone starts again in the same position. Now I think I have to work harder and try to get up faster, regardless of that (nomination ranking)."
Jung Woo-joo also stressed that it is important not to be complacent, saying, "Everyone here today gets the same salary and starts the same. I think it is too much of a complacency to think about that (new nomination ranking). As the season will begin soon this year, I think we can all exercise with a new mind."
Both Chung Hyeon-woo and Jung Woo-joo are said to be expected to play in the first team immediately this year. In particular, Chung Hyeon-woo is being mentioned as a candidate for starting pitcher because Kiwoom has established a strategy to use only one foreign pitcher, which has created many empty seats in the starting rotation. "I haven't heard anything about my position yet from the club," Chung said. "I'm exercising mainly on basic physical exercise and weight training. Since I don't have my position yet, I'm going to throw hard in the position entrusted by the club."
As for Hanwha, Jung Woo-joo is likely to start his career as a bullpen pitcher because the starting rotation of Cody Ponce, Ryan Weiss, Ryu Hyun-jin, Moon Dong-ju and Um Sang-baek is solid. "When I was in high school, I was a little worried before throwing a breaking ball. After I came back from the closing camp, I got advice from my seniors, so I was able to throw with confidence, if not as much as a fastball. I think I've improved a lot to the point where I want to throw." 먹튀검증
Chung and Jung Woo-joo, who are considered the most promising nominees for this year's Rookie of the Year, gave words of blessing to each other. "I've worked out with Chung before, but he finds himself well and works hard. I have deep thoughts on baseball, so if I keep doing what I always do, I think good things will happen to Woo-joo," Chung said.
Jung Woo-joo said, "I have seen Hyun-woo (Jung) since I was young. I went to the national team and worked out with him, and he clearly has his own baseball skills. I thought I wanted to learn a lot, too. If you keep thinking about this and keep getting the chance to sleep, you will have good news for Hyun-woo."