This year, SSG Landers are all smiles thanks to two rookies who are thriving in the infield. Park Ji-hwan (19) and Jung Joon-jae (21) are showing off their presence in the infield.
Park Ji-hwan was the 10th overall pick of the first round in the 2024 rookie draft. He was the only fielder among the 10 selected in the first round.
Park Ji-hwan, who was expected to be a promising player enough to be named as the “Night fielder No. 1,” was also listed in this year’s opening entry. It was the third time in 20 years that a high school graduate rookie fielder was included in the opening entry of SSG, including when he was a full-length SK Wyverns, following catcher Jung Sang-ho in 2001 and outfielder Lim Hoon in 2004.
Although he suffered ups and downs due to finger injuries and sluggishness at the beginning of the season, Park Ji-hwan has been consistently playing in the first team.
He is also displaying talent in batting. He has a batting average of 0.308 (52 hits in 169 times at bat), two homers, 18 RBIs, seven steals, and 26 points with an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of 0.771 in 55 games.
Jung Joon-jae, who graduated from Gangneung High School and went to Dongguk University, participated in the 2024 rookie draft as an early draft while in college, and was selected as the 50th overall pick in the fifth round and wore an SSG uniform.
Jung Joon-jae started this season in the second division, but he stood out in the Futures (second division) league and took the opportunity to be promoted to the first division.
Jung Joon-jae, who took the first-team stage amid the fielders’ string injuries, has been on the first-team stage since May 25th.
He has also maintained his batting performance. He has a batting average of 0.292 (42 hits in 144 times at bat), one homer, 13 RBIs, nine steals, and 29 points with an OPS of 0.729 in 65 games.
SSG has been eager for the growth of its infield prospects.
Park Sung-han, who is still 26 years old, has kept his shortstop position unchanged since 2021, and there were some concerns about the third and second basemen’s positions.
Choi Jeong, who is guarding SSG’s third base, is a franchise star and an unexpected third baseman. However, he is 37 years old this year.
Kim Sung-hyun, who held the SSG second base last year, was also born in 1987.
SSG hoped for a gradual generational change as prospects grew, and Park Ji-hwan and Jung Joon-jae appeared this year. 메이저사이트
However, in order to induce their shared growth, it is necessary to reorganize their positions. Park Ji-hwan and Jung Joon-jae are alternately in charge of second base, which was unclear this year.
Park Ji-hwan’s main position was shortstop in high school, and his next familiar position is second baseman. Jung Joon-jae is a utility resource that can see both second base, shortstop, and third base.
When Choi Jeong was out, Jung Joon-jae or Kim Sung-hyun often took third base. However, SSG coach Lee Sung-yong, who judged that Choi Jeong needed a break in the match against Hanwha Eagles in Incheon on the 17th, sent Park Ji-hwan out as third baseman. It was Park Ji-hwan’s first start at third base since his professional debut.
“I’m considering a position to maximize Park Ji-hwan and Jung Joon-jae,” Lee said. “Park Ji-hwan is a resource to raise as a franchise star, and Jung Joon-jae is also a strong player in hitting.”
“If Choo Shin-soo retires after this season, he will take turns putting the players in the designated hitter position next year. That way, he will not be overloaded and will be able to arrange the physical strength of the players,” he said.
“Choi Jung will play mostly as a third baseman next year, but the number of designated hitters could increase. That’s why I’m trying to use Park Ji-hwan as a third baseman a lot,” he said. “I’m weighing on Park Ji-hwan’s use of third baseman, and I’m thinking of using him as an outfielder.”
There is also Ko Myung-joon, who showed his potential in the first division this year.
“When Ko returns from injury, he will be given more opportunities along with Park Ji-hwan and Jung Joon-jae. I will try to gain experience so that he can use it in the first team next year,” Lee added.