Hanwha Eagles second-year left-handed pitcher Hwang Jun-seo (20) has captured the heart of manager Kim Kyung-moon. Even with Moon Dong-ju returning, his chances of surviving on the first team have increased.

Hwang Jun-seo became the losing pitcher on the 1st against NC in Changwon, going 5⅔ innings with 4 hits allowed (1 home run), 4 walks, 1 hit batter, 6 strikeouts, and 5 runs, but his pitching was good. After coming out with 2 outs and the bases loaded in the 6th, Ju Hyun-sang allowed a grand slam home run to Oh Young-soo, adding 3 more runs, and although he took the loss, his overall pitching was good.

With a total pitch count of 92 and a top speed of 147 km/h, he utilized a fastball (56) with an average speed of 144 km/h, along with a forkball (28), curveball (7), and slider (1). The low fastballs in the strike zone were powerful, and the main weapon forkball was used effectively, along with a slow curve as a deciding pitch.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon viewed Hwang Jun-seo's pitching positively. Ahead of the Daejeon KT match on the 3rd, Kim said of Hwang, "He pitched well, so it’s a pity he didn’t get the win. The fact that he pitched until the 6th inning was excellent. That day, (Kim) Seo-hyun and the win contingent had almost all taken a break. Ju Hyun-sang was the only one left, and Hwang Jun-seo tried to fend off runs even if he gave up some himself. It’s slightly disappointing to have gotten a hit after having two strikes against Cheon Jae-hwan, but other than that, he pitched well. His innings are steadily increasing, and victories will come when the hitters back him up."

Hwang Jun-seo, who joined Hanwha as the overall first pick in the first round of last year's rookie draft, prepared for the season with the Futures team this year. He focused on improving his stamina and physique from spring training, and after Um Sang-baek's struggles sent him to the second team, Hwang was called up to the first team as a substitute starter. He started his first appearance on the 21st against NC in Ulsan, going 3⅓ innings with 2 hits allowed, 2 walks, 4 strikeouts, and 2 earned runs. Following that, on the 27th against LG in Jamsil, he pitched 5 innings with 3 hits allowed, 4 walks, 1 strikeout, and 2 runs, and up to the 1st against NC in Changwon, his pitching performance has been improving.

Even if Moon Dong-ju, who was removed from the roster for rest, returns, the atmosphere suggests that Hwang Jun-seo will remain on the first team. Manager Kim stated that for the time being, Hwang would continue in the starting rotation, saying, "If he pitches like this, there’s no reason he can’t stay. Even if Moon Dong-ju returns, it’s highly likely that Jun-seo will be on the first team." It seems that he has concluded that based on Hwang’s current pitch quality and balance, he should pitch in the first team, whether as a starter or in relief.

Moon Dong-ju, removed from the roster on the 26th of last month, spent time in Seosan last week and joined the first team in Daejeon that day. He is eligible for re-registration on the 5th, but since Um Sang-baek and Hwang Jun-seo are currently in the starting rotation after their adjustments in the second team, manager Kim does not plan to rush Moon Dong-ju’s return.

Manager Kim noted, "Both Um Sang-baek and the 5th starter are doing their roles well. Dong-ju is here today, and we will consider how he is with the trainer and adjust the starting rotation when the time is right."

Meanwhile, Hanwha will face right-handed starter William Cuevas of KT on the 3rd, with the lineup featuring Estevan Florial (center fielder), Ha Ju-suk (shortstop), Moon Hyun-bin (left fielder), Roh Si-hwan (third baseman), Chae Eun-seong (first baseman), Lee Jin-young (right fielder), Choi In-ho (designated hitter), Choi Jae-hun (catcher), and Lee Do-yoon (second baseman). The starting pitcher will be right-hander Cody Ponce. An Chi-hong, struggling with a season batting average of .088, will be prepared as a pinch hitter instead of starting.

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