The Hanwha Eagles' first team in the Korean professional baseball league ended its 12-game winning streak, but the second team also achieved a 12-game winning streak. Promising right-handed pitcher Won Jong-hyuk (20) secured another save with a top speed of 156 km/h, completing the 12-game winning streak.
The Hanwha Futures team, led by manager Lee Dae-jin, overturned a game against the Samsung Lions held at Seosan Stadium on the 13th in the 2025 Mediheal KBO Futures League, winning 4-3.
This means the Hanwha Futures have won 12 consecutive games since their match against KT held at Iksan Stadium on the 20th of last month. The season record stands at 25 wins and 11 losses (.694 win rate), leading the Northern League.
Starting pitcher Kim Gi-joong allowed 2 runs in the 3rd inning after giving up 4 hits and gave up an additional run on a solo home run to Park Seung-kyu in the 4th inning. Despite trailing 1-3 until the 5th inning, the batting lineup scored 3 runs in the 6th inning to turn the game around.
Against Samsung's second pitcher Kim Baek-san, Hanwha scored a run with Lim Jong-chan's single and Kim In-hwan's single, setting up first and third bases with no outs, followed by a ground ball from Heo In-seo that brought in one run. With Jeong Min-kyu's walk continuing the two outs and runners on first and second, Han Kyung-bin exploded for a 2-RBI triple that split the left-center field, turning the score to 4-3.
4-3 became the final score. Starting pitcher Kim Gi-joong left the mound after 4 innings allowing 3 runs, and the bullpen, consisting of Bae Dong-hyun, Lee Tae-yang, Joo Hyun-sang, Lee Sang-kyu, and Won Jong-hyuk, combined for 5 innings without allowing a run, holding onto the 1-run lead until the end.
Lee Tae-yang allowed 1 infield hit in the 6th inning but retired the remaining 3 batters, earning his 3rd victory of the season. In 9 Futures League games (12⅔ innings), he has a record of 3 wins and 1 hold with an earned run average of 1.42. Both Joo Hyun-sang and Lee Sang-kyu struck out 2 batters without allowing runs. Joo Hyun-sang pitched with a top speed of 146 km/h and an average of 143 km/h, regaining his form. Lee Sang-kyu showed his presence with a top speed of 149 km/h.
Won Jong-hyuk's pitching in the 9th inning as the closer was impressive. He allowed a walk after a 7-pitch full count to the first batter Park Seung-kyu but then caught Gong Min-kyu with a fly out to right field after a 9-pitch battle. He then struck out Cha Seung-jun with a fastball at 153 km/h and catcher Park Sang-eon prevented Park Seung-kyu from stealing second base to conclude the game.
Won Jong-hyuk recorded a save with 1 inning, yielding no hits, 1 walk, and 1 strikeout without allowing any runs. He threw a total of 22 pitches, with 12 strikes and 10 balls. While his command is still somewhat shaky, he pitched 19 fastballs at a top speed of 156 km/h and an average of 154 km/h, along with 3 sliders.
As of this day, Won Jong-hyuk has recorded 3 saves and 1 hold in 16 games in the Futures League this season with a 2.89 earned run average. During 18⅔ innings, he allowed only 11 hits, including 1 home run, but issued 9 walks and hit 3 batters, resulting in a significant number of free passes. However, he has recorded 22 strikeouts, showcasing a strong form with a batting average against of .177.
A product of the Guri Inchang High School, Won Jong-hyuk was drafted by Hanwha in the 9th round overall 81st last year and has been considered an unrefined gem since high school. However, in his second year, he is gaining experience as a closer on the Futures team. He collected his first save in the match against KT on the 20th of last month, marking the beginning of Hanwha's 12-game winning streak, followed by saves in 2 consecutive games against SSG.
Similar to Kim Seo-hyun, who solidified his place as the closer for the first team, his ability to easily throw fastballs in the mid-150 km/h range indicates limitless potential for the future. Unlike Kim Seo-hyun, who was picked as the first overall draft, Won Jong-hyuk was selected in the 9th round, making Hanwha's Futures development system deserving of attention. Though their 12-game winning streak ended with a loss to Doosan on the 13th, the first team is currently leading while the Futures team is also enjoying a double-digit winning streak, painting a bright future.
Meanwhile, the record for the most consecutive wins in the Futures League is 14. Both LG in 2021 and Hanwha in 2022 recorded 14 consecutive wins once. LG achieved 14 consecutive wins including a tie from June 20, 2021, against Lotte to August 4, 2021, against Samsung. Hanwha had a 14-game winning streak from August 25, 2022, against KIA to September 14, 2022, against KIA.
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