It seems that we should keep an eye on this player this season.

Kiwoom Heroes manager Hong Won-ki made this remark about rookie infielder Yeo Dong-wook, who hit his debut home run in the regular season opener against the Samsung Lions on the 22nd.

After graduating from Sangwon High School, Yeo Dong-wook made his professional debut this season and started as the number 7 third baseman in the regular season opener against Samsung at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 22nd.

In the second inning, Yeo Dong-wook, who batted as the lead-off hitter, targeted a fastball (146 km/h) from Samsung starter Ariel Hurado at a ball count of 1B-1S, sending it over the left field fence. He connected well enough to sense it was a home run the moment he hit it. Yeo Dong-wook struck out in the sixth inning and popped out to center field in the fourth. Kiwoom lost the opener 5-13, but Yeo Dong-wook's performance was a source of consolation.

Ahead of the game on the 23rd, manager Hong Won-ki met with reporters and noted, "There must have been a lot of pressure on him in the opener, but the fact that he didn’t get intimidated and was able to make that swing is impressive. It seems that we should keep an eye on this player this season."

He added, "In his second at-bat, (he made a good connection even though it became a fly out to center field) and in his third at-bat, he struck out. But it was impressive that he maintained his swing in any situation. I think that might be Yeo Dong-wook's unique charm."

Hong Won-ki also projected, "Even the existing players must feel nervous in the opener. The fact that he showed such a performance right from the first at-bat can become a great confidence booster for adapting to the league."

Even if Yeo Dong-wook struggles with his performance, he has a personality that doesn’t dwell on it and shakes it off. Manager Hong Won-ki said, "He has a very positive character as a player. There were others like Kang Jung-ho and Kim Ha-seong. The ability to separate emotions at such a young age is Yeo Dong-wook's own charm."

Kiwoom's foreign pitcher, Kenny Rosenberg, struggled against Samsung, allowing 8 runs in 3 innings. In response, manager Hong Won-ki stated, "He seemed to be very nervous yesterday. In the early stages of the game, what he thought was a strike was called a ball, which made him overthink. He was at a point where he couldn’t even remember what types of pitches he was throwing. It's important to think simply on the mound."

He expressed, "Rosenberg mentioned that he was quite nervous the day before today's game. If he can assimilate the feedback from the field well, he will show a different side in the next game."

Meanwhile, Kiwoom's starting lineup consisted of designated hitter Yasiel Puig, center fielder Lee Joo-hyung, right fielder Ruben Cardenas, second baseman Song Seong-moon, catcher Kim Dong-heon, first baseman Choi Joo-hwan, third baseman Yeo Dong-wook, shortstop Lee Jae-sang, and left fielder Park Joo-hong. Right-handed pitcher Ha Young-min, who achieved the most wins in a single season last year, is set to start.

[OSEN]