If you are a pitcher, most dream of becoming a starter. The starting pitcher, who announces the start of the game, is the main character of that game and has the greatest impact on the outcome. There is a strong opinion that promising pitchers with fast balls should be nurtured as starters in the long term because the value of being a starter is that high.

Professional baseball team Hanwha Eagles selected the top high school pitchers for 2022 and 2023 as the first overall picks in both the nationwide first-round selection and the full draft. Moon Dong-ju (22) and Kim Seo-hyun (21) both started in the bullpen but are now walking different paths. Moon Dong-ju has grown into an essential player for the team as a starter, while Kim Seo-hyun has developed into a key closer.

Most promising pitchers want to be starters, but Kim Seo-hyun's trajectory is unique in that regard. Since joining in 2023, Kim Seo-hyun noted, "I feel attracted to the bullpen that effectively shuts down the game when the team wins," naming former Hanwha closer Gu Dae-seong as a role model. Two years later, he has solidified his role as an indispensable closer for Hanwha.

Following Moon Dong-ju and Kim Seo-hyun, another promising fireballer, Jeong Woo-joo (19), who joined Hanwha this year, is also starting in the bullpen. Recognized for his skills, Jeong Woo-joo made the opening roster and has recorded a 1 win, 2 holds, and an earned run average of 4.11 over 16 games this season. The average earned run average is in the 4 point range due to two games with 3 earned runs, but he demonstrates stability with a WHIP of 0.85 and a batting average against of .132. He has impressive skills, striking out 21 batters over 15⅓ innings.

Unlike many fireballers, Jeong Woo-joo's pitching form appears smooth without much effort. Even in the set position, he throws fastballs in the 150 km/h range with a quick arm swing. Jeong Woo-joo explained, "I've paid a lot of attention to my form since I was young. I tried to throw as beautifully as possible, and as I grew tall and gained strength, my velocity and spin improved naturally."

Jeong Woo-joo has a fastball usage rate of 86.4%. His fastball's movement is so good that batters find it difficult to hit, even when they know it's coming. Regarding this, Jeong Woo-joo said, "I think it's because I'm still a rookie who hasn't been analyzed yet. Also, I have the passion and confidence that only someone my age can have, which might be why they can't hit it," adding, "Those who watch my pitching will certainly think of the fastball. As long as I throw it confidently, good pitches will come in. I try not to focus on corner work and aim to throw more strikes."

정우주는 직구 구사율이 86.4%에 달한다. 직구 볼끝이 워낙 좋아 타자들이 알고도 쉽게 맞히질 못한다. 이에 대해 정우주는 “제가 아직 (분석 안 된) 신인이라 그런 것 같다. 또 이 나이대만 할 수 있는 패기랑 자신감이 있기 때문에 못 치는 것 아닐까 싶다”며 “제 피칭을 보시는 분들이 모두 직구를 생각하실 것이다. 자신 있게만 던지면 좋은 공이 들어간다. 코너워크에 신경쓰지 않고 스트라이크를 많이 던지려는 생각으로 한다”고 말했다.

Starting as a chase pitcher and moving up to a setup role, Jeong Woo-joo expressed gratitude to the manager, saying, "I want to thank the manager who believed in me. In the future, I may face tighter situations, but I see it as an opportunity and want to approach it earnestly," stating his future goal of achieving "5 holds, and up to 10 holds as a middle reliever."

Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon commented on Jeong Woo-joo's future role, saying, "There is a closer, but there’s also more for the closer..." adding, "I don't want to place too much expectation on Woo-joo this year. He needs to take good care of his body, spend a year in the first team, and experience pitching well and perhaps not well. Learning directly is a significant education, just as the coaches teach. This year will be a time for learning. It’s commendable that a friend who just graduated high school is performing well even in crucial situations."

Although he is currently in the bullpen, Jeong Woo-joo's long-term dream is still to become a starter. Although his close senior Kim Seo-hyun is following the closer path, Jeong Woo-joo stated, "My ultimate goal is to be a starter. It doesn't always happen just because I want it, but my dream is to be a starter," and added, "There isn't a spot right now." Hanwha has built a strong starting rotation this season with five pitchers: KODI Ponsse, Ryan Weiss, Ryu Hyun-jin, Moon Dong-ju, and Eom Sang-baek.

Although there are currently no starting positions, Jeong Woo-joo continues to practice his changeup to become a starter someday. On the 10th, against Kiwoom, he began throwing the changeup, a pitch he had not thrown before, in addition to sliders and curves. Jeong Woo-joo said, "I am practicing changeups a lot. Having a changeup makes it easier to compete and saves pitch count," emphasizing, "To achieve my starting goal in a few years, I need to prepare changeups from now on. I want to ask a lot of questions because Ponsse handles changeups very well. I also want to learn the kick changeup."

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