“I only saw (Lee) Joo-hyung. You were very young and encouraged me that you were a player capable of hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases. I called the players of that team (Kiwoom Heroes) and asked for a little more help. talked.”
I wish there were more captains like this. Oh Ji-hwan (33), captain of the LG Twins, expressed his sincerity when he let go of top-notch prospect Lee Joo-hyung (22, Kiwoom Heroes). On the morning of the 29th, LG made a trade to Kiwoom for Lee Joo-hyung, pitcher Kim Dong-gyu (19), and pitcher Won-tae Choi (26) in exchange for the right to be nominated for the first round of the 2024 rookie draft. It was a choice to give up the future and gain the present. LG coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop was very satisfied with the clear card of Choi Won-tae in the domestic starting lineup, which was uneasy except for Lim Chan-gyu.메이저놀이터
As soon as Oh Ji-hwan heard the news of the trade in the morning, he went to Jamsil Baseball Stadium early. I expected that Lee Joo-hyung and Kim Dong-gyu would come to pack, so I wanted to see them off. Oh Ji-hwan met Lee Joo-hyung, who just happened to be at the stadium, and said his final goodbyes. He was sad to let go of his younger brother with a bright future, but he wasn’t worried as he went to a team with more opportunities.
Oh Ji-hwan said, “I came to the baseball field early on purpose and met Joo-hyung. He encouraged me a lot, saying that you are very young and a player capable of reaching 30-30. He told me that it would work out well, and he told me that now is important because free agency like his brother is the ultimate goal. I called the players of that team (Kiwoom) to ask for more help. Kiwoom has (Lee) Hyungjong, and (Kim) Hyeseong also had a relationship with the national team, so I called them and asked them to take care of them.
“I think this is really the reality of being a professional. Even if I’m a manager, it’s right to use good players when I think about it coldly. I think the club rather opened the way for me to get a chance. It may or may not happen. When I was young, I also saw (Kang) Jung-ho hyung, but he went to the United States, and (Kim) Ha-seong went to the major leagues. I think I can go (to the major leagues) enough to become the culture of that team.” He added, looking forward to Lee Joo-hyung, who will grow into a much bigger player.
Lee Joo-hyung graduated from Gyeongnam High School and was evaluated as a top-notch prospect from the time he was nominated by LG as the 13th pick in the 2nd round of the 2nd round of the 2020 rookie draft. As a 22-year-old military infielder who also solved his military problems ahead of this season, there is only one thing left to do.
He is a definite hitter with one talent. He had a batting average of 0.323 (30 hits in 93 at-bats), 3 home runs and 18 RBIs in 31 Futures League games this year. He is a player with the ability to hit big hits with a slugging percentage of 0.559. Now, the only step left is to prove it in the first group. 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases seem a long way now, but Oh Ji-hwan believed that his juniors would be able to grow quickly with plenty of opportunities in Kiwoom.
Oh Ji-hwan said, “I’m only in one team, so I don’t know how they feel. This trade is a win for the team, and it’s a place where young people with the color of Kiwoom can get a chance. (Lee) Joo-hyung and (Kim) Dong-gyu It makes me cry a little when I think about it, but I think it will be more helpful for the future of those friends.”
Oh Ji-hwan and Lee Joo-hyung have an 11-year age difference. Even co-workers, it is not common for seniors to care so carefully that juniors with a difference of more than 10 years transfer through trade. It was a thought that showed the responsibility of the captain.
Lee Joo-hyung, who joined Kiwoom, appealed that “hitting and (fast) feet are my strengths” and said, “No matter how many opportunities I receive, it is my responsibility to catch them. I made up my mind. Will Lee Joo-hyeong grow into a player who can join the 30-30 club as Oh Ji-hwan hopes and remain as a successful trade case for Kiwoom? Lee Joo-hyung announced his new start by starting against the Gocheok Samsung Lions on the 29th and reporting his first hit.