The Hanwha Eagles are evaluated as having the strongest starting lineup in the league this season. The foreign pitcher "one-two punch" Ponce and Weiss play a significant role.

Looking to the future, it becomes even more magnificent. In the 2022 first overall pick was Moon Dong-ju (22), the 2023 first overall pick was Kim Seo-hyeon (21), the 2024 first overall pick was Hwang Jun-seo (20), the 2024 second round was Cho Dong-uk (21), and in 2025, the second overall pick will be Jeong Woo-joo (19).

On the 15th, a big match between the LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles was held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon successfully defeated the first place LG by successively putting in the young trio of Moon Dong-ju, Hwang Jun-seo, and Cho Dong-uk. They reclaimed the first place after 33 days.

Moon Dong-ju's appearance that day was his return to the first team after 21 days. He had been excluded from the first team roster for rest after struggling with 6 runs in 4⅔ innings against Lotte on May 24.

Before the game, manager Kim Kyung-moon said, "After watching Moon Dong-ju pitch, Hwang Jun-seo will prepare next. It would be good if the starter pitches for 5 innings, but since this is his return after about 20 days, I'm trying not to push him too hard." He added, "Cho Dong-uk is also waiting. We need to relieve the burden on the bullpen, which has pitched a lot, so we need to manage it carefully now."

From the first inning, Moon Dong-ju threw a fastball at 157 km/h and finished the inning with three outs. In the second inning, he reached a top speed of 158 km/h, struck out one batter, and continued with six consecutive groundouts.

However, in the third inning, his control faltered, leading him to walk the first batter, and he allowed 2 runs from 3 hits and 2 walks. In the fourth inning, he again walked a lead-off batter and conceded a 2-run hit to Kim Hyun-soo with two outs and the bases loaded.

Perhaps due to returning directly without any outings in the Futures League or practice games, he allowed 6 hits and 3 walks while giving up 4 runs in just the 3rd and 4th innings as his pitch count exceeded 30. Moon Dong-ju's substitution timing appeared slightly delayed.

Hwang Jun-seo took the mound in the fourth inning with two outs and runners on first and third while trailing 0-4. He managed to get Austin, who is in second place for home runs, out with a fly ball to center field. In the fifth inning, he allowed a hit to Lee Ju-heon with two outs and a runner on second base, but a precise throw from the left fielder resulted in the runner being tagged out at home, preventing any runs from scoring.

In the sixth, it was Cho Dong-uk's turn, and he faced four left-handed LG batters. He struck out Lee Young-bin but allowed a surprise bunt hit to Park Hae-min. While trying to field the ball, he slipped on the wet ground. He gave up a single to Shin Min-jae but got Kim Hyun-soo out on a ground ball to the first baseman, leaving two runners on second and third. He was replaced by bullpen pitcher Park Sang-won when right-handed batter Austin came up, and Park Sang-won managed to get through without allowing a run.

Moon Dong-ju, Hwang Jun-seo, and Cho Dong-uk held the LG lineup to 4 runs. Hanwha tied the game 4-4 in the bottom of the fourth, took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the fifth, and after a lengthy rain delay (104 minutes), resumed and extended the lead to 9-4, ultimately winning 10-5.

Moon Dong-ju recorded 3⅔ innings with 6 hits, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts, and 4 runs allowed; Hwang Jun-seo recorded 1⅓ innings with 2 hits and no runs (winning relief); and Cho Dong-uk recorded ⅔ inning with 2 hits and no runs.

After the game, Kim Kyung-moon said, "Moon Dong-ju allowed runs, but he didn't seem to be in bad condition." In the third inning, with no outs and a runner on first, Lee Young-bin attempted a sacrifice bunt, and in the situation of no outs and runners on first and second, Park Hae-min also tried a sacrifice bunt but induced four foul bunts, neutralizing the bunt strategy. Better pitching is expected in his next outing. He has recorded 5 wins, 2 losses, and an ERA of 4.09 this season.

Hwang Jun-seo, who started the season in the second team, joined the first team at the end of May as a substitute starter. He filled in the rotation void left by Eom Sang-baek and Moon Dong-ju.

Kim Kyung-moon mentioned, "Hwang Jun-seo is in good condition now. He has been pitching well in his rotation. It's not always good to rest for a long time. Waiting for 10 or 9 days before pitching might feel a bit off, so it would be better to throw him in once in the middle for 1-2 innings, then have him pitch as a starter next time."

Until Ryu Hyun-jin returns, who is out from the first team due to pain in his internal rotator cuff, Hwang Jun-seo will continue to pitch as a starter. He has recorded 1 win, 2 losses, and an ERA of 3.54 over 5 games (1 in relief).

Cho Dong-uk has appeared in 29 games (30 innings), recorded 1 win, 1 save, 3 holds, and has an ERA of 3.30 while doing the tough work in the bullpen.

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