The Hanwha Eagles are holding the top spot in professional baseball even in mid-June, thanks to the absolute power of their mound. While the batting lineup has been inconsistent, their team earned run average is first in the league (3.44), demonstrating solid pitching. With a starting ERA of 3.40 and a bullpen ERA of 3.53, both the starters and relievers are balanced and stable.

Despite several variables, the performance of the 'Jangchung High School left-handed duo' Hwang Jun-seo (20) and Cho Dong-uk (21) has been significant in keeping the mound stable. The influence of these two players, who have alternated between starting and relief roles, has effectively eliminated the mound's variables.

The first variable appeared in mid-last month. With the struggling 'free agent signing' Eom Sang-baek reassigning to the second team for adjustments, a gap first emerged in the starting rotation. Hanwha then called up Hwang Jun-seo, who had been preparing for his first team debut while pitching as a starter with the Futures team.

Hwang Jun-seo, who had been excluded from the first team's spring camp for physical conditioning and started the season in the second team, seized the opportunity. In the four games he played as a substitute starter, he suffered two losses without a victory but performed his role with a 3.79 ERA. He recorded 16 strikeouts over 19 innings. His fastball, averaging 143 km/h, and the tunneling of his forkball helped induce swings and misses. Compared to usual pitchers, his release point is slightly slower, making it difficult for batters to time their swings.

After Eom Sang-baek returned to the first team, Hwang Jun-seo remained in the starting lineup. With Moon Dong-ju excluded from the first team roster for rest, Hwang Jun-seo continued to receive starting opportunities. Although his planned start against LG on the 13th was canceled due to rain, he pitched in relief against LG again on the 15th, following Moon Dong-ju as the second pitcher, throwing 1⅓ innings with 2 hits allowed, no walks, and no runs to secure a comeback victory. He achieved his first win of the season, lowering his ERA to 3.54.

Hwang Jun-seo, who was the first overall pick for Hanwha in last year's rookie draft, has often been compared to the second-pick Kim Taek-yeon, who has excelled as a closer. Although he prepared for this season out of the spotlight in the second team, he remained quietly waiting for his opportunity and has demonstrated his value when the team faced challenges.

Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon remarked about Hwang Jun-seo, saying, "His fastball movement has improved compared to last year, and his pitches have gained more power. He has developed strength and skills with age. He is in a much better position than last year in terms of how to get hitters out. Even when all the players return, he will definitely be included in the roster."

The growth of Cho Dong-uk, who was selected by Hanwha as the overall 11th pick in the second round last year, is also noteworthy. He made the opening day roster this season, recording 29 games (1 start, 30 innings), with 1 win, 1 save, and 3 holds, and an ERA of 3.30 with 17 strikeouts. As the only pitcher in the league to achieve both a starting win and a save this season, he has showcased versatility by taking on starting, middle relief, and closing roles as needed by the team. Last winter, he gained 6 kg, resulting in an average fastball speed increase of about 2 km/h, while extending his delivery has enhanced his pitching effectiveness.

Establishing himself as a reliable setup man, Cho Dong-uk recorded his first career save on the 28th of last month during his debut against LG in Jamsil. Having taken over as closer Kim Seo-hyeon was retired, he came out in the 11th inning with one out and a runner on first, responsible for getting the final two outs. Facing a two outs, bases loaded situation, he struck out Ham Chang-geun with a slider, celebrating afterward.

In the game against Doosan on the 11th, he started and provided a stellar performance, pitching 5 innings with 4 hits allowed (including 1 home run), 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts, resulting in one earned run and a win. He stepped in as a substitute starter to fill the gap left by Ryu Hyun-jin, who felt discomfort in his adductor muscles, effectively covering the absence. Manager Kim Kyung-moon praised, saying, "When a substitute starter goes out and wins, it gives tremendous strength to the team. It felt like a weight had been lifted from my heart. I have a favorable view of (Cho Dong-uk) as a manager."

Hwang Jun-seo and Cho Dong-uk are both graduates of Jangchung High School, where Hanwha selected both players in the first and second rounds of last year's draft. Although Kim Taek-yeon, who excelled on the youth national team, was making rapid progress, Hanwha did not hesitate to select Hwang Jun-seo with the first overall pick and strategically chose Cho Dong-uk in the second round. In a situation where there was a lack of young left-handed pitchers within the team, they used their high draft picks on the 'Jangchung duo.'

Both players made their impressive debuts last year with a win in their first team starting game. Although there were some minor growing pains, they quickly overcame them and are showing notable growth in their second-year season. The synergy gained from both being on the first team is substantial. Cho Dong-uk said, "(Hwang) Jun-seo and I have been very close since high school. It feels more fun and successful now that Jun-seo is here in the first team playing baseball together," adding, "We talk a lot about baseball, but he also jokes around a lot, which helps ease the worries about baseball."

[OSEN]