Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon has outlined plans for sidearm pitcher Park Jun-young, who earned a win in his professional debut start. Moving forward, the right-hander will primarily serve as a long reliever out of the bullpen.
Speaking before the team’s third game of the season against the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome on May 12, Kim said, “Everyone has been praising Park so much that I think he can stop there for now. For the next turn in the rotation, the opportunity will go to Jeong Woo-ju first.”
Born in 2002, Park Jun-young graduated from Cheongwoon University this year and joined Hanwha as a developmental player. In seven Futures League games covering 28 innings, he posted a 4-0 record with a 1.29 ERA, earning a promotion to the active roster.
Carrying that momentum, Park made a huge impact in his first KBO appearance. On May 10 against the LG Twins in Daejeon, he started and threw five shutout innings, allowing three hits, three walks, and striking out two to pick up the win.
Park’s achievement is unprecedented in KBO history: he became the first player signed as a developmental player to earn a starting win in his professional debut after being converted to the active roster. His performance was especially critical for Hanwha, who were already without Moon Dong-ju (season-ending shoulder surgery) and Wilkel Hernandez (mild elbow inflammation), forcing the team to rely on two emergency starters. Park exceeded expectations, helping the team to a two-game winning streak.
As of May 12, Hanwha’s team ERA stood at 5.29, last among the 10 clubs. In a rotation desperate for reliable arms, Park’s emergence came as a welcome relief.
His strong debut has brightened his chances of staying on the first-team roster, but his role is likely to be a long reliever rather than a starter.
Park’s start came about only because of Hanwha’s sudden rotation collapse. With Moon out for the season and Hernandez on the injured list due to elbow inflammation, the team urgently needed two replacement starters.
Hernandez is set to return for the May 13 game against Kiwoom at Gocheok. Owen White, who has been sidelined since Opening Day with a hamstring injury, will rejoin the rotation during the weekend three-game series against KT Wiz in Suwon. With Hernandez, White, Ryu Hyun-jin, and Wang Yan-cheng locking down four spots, the fifth starter role will be handled by Jeong Woo-ju for now.
Kim explained, “We plan to let Jeong Woo-ju start about three times and then discuss with pitching coach Park Seung-min what to do next.”
He added, “Park Jun-young can be ready to step in behind a starter if one gets pulled early unexpectedly. If his control is as good as his last outing, he can work out of the bullpen. Since he just pitched, he needs a bit of rest, and we’ll decide on his usage while discussing with the pitching coach during games.”
