KIA Tigers' Choi Won-jun, who was demoted to the second team as a form of punishment, hit a decisive home run in the Futures League.
On the 25th, Choi Won-jun was selected as the starting center fielder in the game against the Lotte Giants in the 2025 Futures League held at the Gimhae Sangdong Baseball Stadium. He recorded 1 hit in 5 at-bats, with that hit being the game-winning home run.
Choi Won-jun batted first in the first inning and was out on a ground ball to the first baseman. He also batted first in the third inning, facing the first pitch but was out on a ground ball to the second baseman.
In the second inning, KIA took the lead 2-0 when Park Min hit a timely single after Jeong Hae-won and Seo Geon-chang walked consecutively and a sacrifice bunt was made, putting runners on second and third with one out.
In the third inning, Lotte reversed the game 3-2 with a three-run home run by Lee Tae-kyung, following a double by Han Seung-hyun and a walk by Kim Se-min. KIA tied the game 3-3 in the fourth inning with a timely hit by Han Seung-taek with two outs and a runner on second.
Leading off the fifth inning, Choi Won-jun hit a solo home run (distance of 115 meters) off Lee Young-jae on the second pitch with one ball, putting KIA ahead 4-3 again. After that, with one out, Choi Jeong-yong walked, Jeong Hae-won hit an infield single to third, and Seo Geon-chang had a timely single to left, extending the lead to 5-3.
Choi Won-jun was out on a fly ball to center field with one out and one runner on first in the sixth inning. KIA widened the score to 7-3 in the seventh inning with Jeong Hae-won's double to left, Yeo Jin-won's double to left-center (1 RBI), and Park Min's single to center (1 RBI). With two outs and runners on first and second, Choi Won-jun was out on a Samjin.
KIA allowed 5 hits in the bottom of the eighth inning and gave up 3 runs, narrowing the lead to 7-6, but managed to hold on for the victory.
Choi Won-jun was removed from the first team roster on the 22nd. He had a routine fly ball in the first inning of the game against KT Wiz on the 21st that resulted in a fielding error. Manager Lee Beom-ho replaced him immediately after the error and sent him down to the second team the following day as a form of punishment.
Manager Lee Beom-ho noted regarding Choi Won-jun's demotion, "Mistakes can happen at any time, but they should be mistakes that are somewhat justifiable." He added, "I wanted to send a strong message to the team."
On the 24th, Choi Won-jun recorded 2 hits and 1 run in 5 at-bats against Lotte's second team, also hitting one double. He needs to improve his batting skills in the second team and reaffirm his resolve as he prepares for a return to the first team on June 1.
Choi Won-jun, who will be eligible for free agency at the end of this season, has played in 38 games with a batting average of .195 (24 hits in 123 at-bats), 3 home runs, 11 RBIs, and 14 runs, struggling this season. Manager Lee Beom-ho said that once Choi completes the necessary ten days for roster registration, he will call him back to the first team. He can be registered starting from the game against KT on June 1.
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