Kiwoom Heroes pitcher Jang Jae-young (23) made a surprise call-up to the first team and was included in the starting lineup.
Manager Hong Won-ki said during an interview before the exhibition game against SSG Landers in Incheon on the 13th as part of the '2025 Shinhan Bank SOL Bank KBO League,' "It’s too disappointing to send him like this. I received reports that he was doing very well in the second team, so I called him to check once."
Kiwoom’s starting lineup consisted of Song Seong-mun (second baseman), Ruben Cardines (first baseman), Lee Ju-hyung (center fielder), Kim Dong-yeop (designated hitter), Park Ju-hong (left fielder), Jang Jae-young (right fielder), Jeon Tae-hyun (third baseman), Kim Keon-hee (catcher), and Kim Tae-jin (shortstop). The starting pitcher is the overall first-round rookie left-hander Jeong Hyun-woo.
Jang Jae-young, who is planning to enlist in the military, was unexpectedly selected for the starting lineup that day. Jang Jae-young, who joined Kiwoom as the first overall pick in the 2021 rookie draft, was initially expected to be a promising pitcher but recorded 1 win and 6 losses with an earned run average of 6.45 over 56 games (103⅓ innings) in the KBO League. Last year, he decided to switch to batting and recorded a batting average of .168 (20 hits in 119 at-bats), 4 home runs, 13 RBIs, 14 runs, and an OPS of .582 over 38 games.
Manager Hong Won-ki, who called up Jang Jae-young to the first team, noted, "I have been receiving reports constantly. I called him to check once with my own eyes. He could enlist in May, and there could be various variables." He added, "First of all, his body has changed. He continues to produce good hits, and there were many positive evaluations."
Manager Hong Won-ki emphasized that if Jang Jae-young passes the final selection for the military, he must enlist in May, but if he consistently shows good performance in the exhibition games, there is a possibility he could play in the first team for a while. "I will keep all possibilities open. Just like last year with Kim Jae-woong, he could play until he enlists, of course under the assumption that he performs well. The call-up today is to check his condition," explained Manager Hong Won-ki, adding, "His body has noticeably improved. He has gained about 5 kg, and it’s all muscle. It seems he has exercised harder than any other year. The uniform has become tight on him," he said with a laugh.
Yasiel Puig will miss his second consecutive game following the match against Suwon KT on the 11th. The discomfort in his back has not yet fully recovered. Manager Hong Won-ki said, "It wouldn’t be appropriate to say he’s not doing well. I would like to say he is in the process of getting better. It’s not serious from Suwon, but due to discomfort, I had him rest. The hospital examination results were not concerning. Exhibition games are important, but it is more crucial to enter the season at 100% physical condition for the opening game, so he was given rest."
Rookie pitcher Jeong Hyun-woo will make his second exhibition game appearance that day. In his outing on the 8th against NC, he achieved a win with no runs scored, allowing 2 walks and striking out 4 in 3 innings. Manager Hong Won-ki said, "Jeong Hyun-woo is scheduled to pitch 4 innings today. We are focusing on increasing innings and pitch counts to prepare for the opening season." He added, "Despite his young age, he has managed his condition well according to his plan since Taiwan. He has only pitched one game, but he appears to be adapting well on the mound," expressing expectations for Jeong Hyun-woo's good pitching.
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