“We were at the bottom, but now that I’m back from military service, we are fighting for 1st place.”
Park Jung-hyun (24), an infielder for the Hanwha Eagles, is feeling the significant change in team strength over the past year and a half since returning from military service with the Army. Hanwha, which had continuously stayed at the bottom before his enlistment, is now competing for 1st place this year, and Park is also poised to spark competition in the infield.
On the 17th, Park Jung-hyun, who was discharged from the Army, immediately joined Hanwha’s first team that was traveling to Busan. He trained with the team without being registered on the roster. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon, who mentioned Park before his discharge saying, “I have a friend I’m looking forward to,” personally monitored his training for a week until the 22nd.
Manager Kim Kyung-moon noted, “(Park) Jung-hyun will play in the second team for a while. He hasn’t had much opportunity to play due to a hamstring injury. Since he has trained with the first team and heard from the coaches about what he needs, he should refine his game sense in the second team. There are many broadcasts of second team games. Even if they are not broadcast, the reports from the second team come through. I will consider calling him up to the first team when I feel he is sufficiently ready.”
Park Jung-hyun, who graduated from Yooshin High School and was drafted by Hanwha in the 2nd round at the overall 78th pick in 2020, was selected in a lower tier but showcased his potential by playing 30 games in the first team from his first year. Under manager Carlos Subero, he gained opportunities as a starting player and accumulated first team experience, recording a batting average of .224 with 107 hits in 478 at-bats, 6 home runs, and 41 RBIs over four seasons.
Despite experiencing growing pains, he increased his presence after enlisting in the Army. Last year, he excelled in the Futures League with a batting average of .313 over 91 games, 16 home runs, and 66 RBIs, earning the title of home run and RBI leader in the Southern League. He was also invited to the KBO awards ceremony alongside his younger brother Park Young-hyun (KT), who became the league's winning pitcher. This year, despite facing the aftermath of a hamstring injury and hitting just .143 in 12 games (4 hits in 28 at-bats), internal expectations remain high.
Returning as a reserve soldier, Park Jung-hyun has become larger and more impressive. Before his enlistment, he had a slim physique and a quiet voice which gave him a weak impression, but now, having gained 7 kg, he exudes confidence.
Park Jung-hyun said, “I got injured in early February and couldn’t play many games. I wasn’t in a proper state of preparation, but I felt I'd grown during the week of training with the first team thanks to the manager, coaches, and older players who taught me a lot. Even though it was just a week, I felt that I was growing,” adding, “The manager told me to go to Seosan and hit a lot, and practice a lot.”
In a year and a half, Hanwha has become remarkably strong. Previously, the infield was somewhat relaxed, but alongside existing players Roh Si-hwan, Chae Eun-seong, Ha Ju-suk, and Lee Do-yoon, free agents Ahn Chi-hong and Sim Woo-jun, as well as rookie Hwang Young-mook have joined. Ahn Chi-hong is focusing on designated hitter, while the infield positions are filled by Roh Si-hwan at third, Chae Eun-seong at first, Sim Woo-jun and Ha Ju-suk at shortstop, and Lee Do-yoon and Hwang Young-mook at second base.
Park Jung-hyun, whose main position is shortstop but can cover all infield positions, also feels the significant change in Hanwha's infield depth. He stated, “Before my enlistment, the team was at the bottom, but now that I’m back, we are fighting for 1st place. I thought it would be fun to play together after my discharge,” and added, “I sometimes wondered if I could play there, in the first team. I want to grow quickly and play alongside my older brothers in the first team.”
Park Jung-hyun, who revealed he gained 6 to 7 kg through weight training in the Army, said, “Coaches and older players at the Army taught me a lot. I've been hitting more breaking balls, which helped me improve. Since the results came in, I could hit more comfortably,” and added, “I saw that the manager mentioned me around the time of my discharge. I felt that I was still a player with expectations, and I have a strong desire to prepare well and give back as much as he expects.”
Park Jung-hyun is also looking forward to a rematch with his younger brother Park Young-hyun once he moves up to the first team. In their two matchups in 2022, he showed his prowess with 1 hit and 1 RBI in 2 at-bats, but his younger brother has now developed into a premier relief pitcher in the KBO League. Park Jung-hyun said with a laugh, “I didn’t hear from Young-hyun after my discharge, so I called him first,” and then added, “Everyone knows Young-hyun has good stuff. I thought he was a bit weak when I hit against him in 2022, but he has improved. I want to face him again.”
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