Emerging Stars Shine Bright In KBO And MLB Preseason

In a remarkable showcase of emerging talent, the Hanwha Eagles are gearing up for the 2025 season with rookies Jeong Woo-joo and Kwon Min-gyu ready to make their marks in the KBO League. Coach Kim Kyung-moon recently provided insights into his plans for these promising players after the season opener against the KT Wiz at Suwon KT Wiz Park on March 22.

Jeong Woo-joo, often referred to as 'Agi Doksuri' or 'Baby Eagle', achieved the significant milestone of securing a spot in the opening roster in his debut year. The fastball pitcher, who gained attention during his high school years at Jeonju High School, is known for his impressive top pitch speed of 156 km/h. Last year, during his final high school season, Jeong recorded a stellar performance across 19 games, boasting 5 wins, 1 loss, and an impressive ERA of 1.31. He struck out an astounding 94 batters while only conceding 21 walks over 54 and two-thirds innings.

Following his excellent high school performance, Jeong was snapped up as the second overall pick in the 2025 KBO rookie draft by Hanwha, signing a professional contract worth 500 million won, which reflects the high expectations placed on him by the team and fans alike.

Kwon Min-gyu, a left-handed pitcher, also emerged as a significant prospect during his time at high school. He was drafted in the second round as the 12th pick, coming off an impressive final high school season where he recorded 6 wins, 3 losses, and an ERA of 1.50 over 16 games. With 52 strikeouts in 54 and one-third innings and a modest contract of 160 million won, Kwon’s capabilities make him a player to watch this season.

As both rookies embark on their professional journey, they will be preparing for the season through training camps held in Australia and Japan, before culminating in the KBO exhibition matches. Coach Kim is optimistic about their potential, stating that both Jeong and Kwon would initially gain experience in a less pressured environment rather than being thrust into a high-stakes situation immediately. He expressed a desire for them to contest in the 'chasing squad' rather than the 'winning squad', enabling them to learn from veteran players. "They both have the potential to grow, and it's vital they get the confidence by facing first-team talents gradually," Kim explained.

Despite their young age, Kim has high hopes for the duo and has encouraged them to perform without pressure. He firmly believes that their learning process in the first team is crucial. He also remarked, "At this stage, the focus is for them to take the mound and show their youthful vigor. I don't want them to stress about winning; rather, I want them to be confident. If they maintain their composure and compete steadily, I will continue to support them,” highlighting their importance as future pillars of the Eagles.

On the flip side, the Pittsburgh Pirates face their roster decisions with Ji Hwan Bae, a 26-year-old infielder, battling for a spot on the opening roster after strong performances in the spring training matches. Bae's future with the Pirates looked uncertain despite being a standout with a remarkable batting average of .410, getting 16 hits out of 39 at-bats, complemented by 1 home run and 4 RBIs over 18 exhibition games.

Bae’s performance included 12 runs, 2 walks, 7 strikeouts, 3 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .439, a slugging percentage of .641, and an OPS of 1.080, asserting him as a leader in batting average on the team. However, his path to securing a roster spot becomes complicated due to the existing competition and injuries impacting the team's strategy. He is currently vying with Jack Suwinski, who boasts power and depth in major league experience.

Notably, on March 23, Bae persisted against tough odds as the Pirates announced roster decisions following a spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles. As a strategic move, Pittsburgh placed Henry Davis— the first overall pick in the 2021 draft— on the minor league list and DFA’d outfielder Joshua Palacios who struggled with a batting average of .211. Adding to the mix, Hunter Stratton was moved to the 40-man roster, showing the Pirates' commitment to restructuring their team for the upcoming season.

With the final two games left in the spring training against Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins, the Pirates' roster will be finalized ahead of the season opener against the Miami Marlins on March 28. The future remains uncertain for Ji Hwan Bae, as he is still in contention, and he will need to give his best performance in the remaining games to solidify his position in the opening day lineup. Coach Kim Kyung-Moon's nurturing approach mirrors that of the Pirates in some ways, as both aim for a balance between team success and individual player growth. Both Jeong Woo-joo and Ji Hwan Bae symbolize the hope and promise that their respective organizations have invested into young talent. The upcoming season will undoubtedly be one to watch for these emerging stars.