Hanwha Eagles infielder Ha Joo-seok (31) performed well again in the Futures League with a multi-hit game.

On the 25th, Ha Joo-seok started as the leadoff shortstop in the 2025 Mediheal KBO Futures League home game against Doosan Bears at Seosan Stadium, recording 2 hits in 3 at-bats, including a double.

Starting with a hit to left-center in the first inning from the first at-bat pushing the fastball from Doosan starter Hong Min-kyu, Ha Joo-seok exploded for a double in the third inning. He connected with a well-placed changeup on the third pitch that dropped on the inside, turning it into a long hit that went to the right fence.

Ha Joo-seok, who grounded out in the fifth inning, was substituted for Bae Seung-soo before the top of the sixth inning and finished the game.

With this, Ha Joo-seok recorded hits in four consecutive games since the start of the exhibition season. Following the matches against Goyang Heroes on the 22nd and 23rd, he has achieved a streak of three consecutive multi-hit games. He raised his batting average in the exhibition season to .533 (8 hits in 15 at-bats) and has shown power with 3 doubles.

Ha Joo-seok entered the free agent market last winter but faced rejection and remained with Hanwha on a one-year deal worth up to 110 million won (guaranteed 90 million won). His starting shortstop position vanished with Hanwha signing Sim Woo-jun for 5 billion won over four years.

Excluded from the first-team spring camp, Ha Joo-seok quietly built his body at the Futures camp held in Kochi, Japan. In the Futures practice games, he achieved a batting average of .471 (8 hits in 17 at-bats) and received a call-up to the first team on the second day of the exhibition season.

In the exhibition games, Ha Joo-seok appeared in all six games as a substitute, showcasing his presence with 2 hits in 5 at-bats, 1 RBI, and 1 walk. He recorded the winning hit in the fourth inning during the exhibition game against Samsung Lions on the 17th, which was the official first game at the new Daejeon stadium. Prior to that, on the 13th against Lotte Giants in Sajik, he made a strong impression by fielding Jeong Hoon's hit ball, throwing to second base to prevent a run, and turning a double play.

However, after finishing the exhibition matches, Ha Joo-seok was notified of his demotion to the second team. The depth of Hanwha's infielders was so strong that there was no room for him. With first baseman Chae Eun-sung, second baseman Ahn Chi-hong, shortstop Sim Woo-jun, and third baseman Noh Si-hwan as starters, backups include first baseman Kwon Kwang-min, second baseman Hwang Young-mook, shortstop Lee Do-yoon, and third baseman Moon Hyun-bin.

Lee Do-yoon can play not only at shortstop but also has a wide range of defensive versatility in the infield, while Hwang Young-mook shares the second base position with Ahn Chi-hong. Hwang Young-mook showcased his decisiveness by making a 1-RBI double when he came in as a pinch hitter in the 7th inning of the season opener against KT on the 22nd. Moon Hyun-bin, recognized as the team's top hitting prospect, has earned the coaching staff's trust by participating in both opening match games as a designated hitter. In the second game of the season, he recorded 2 doubles and reached base 3 times with a walk. Kwon Kwang-min also has the qualities of a left-handed slugger, one of the few on the team.

Ha Joo-seok has shown his presence both offensively and defensively but ceded priority to juniors who have prepared well since the first-team spring camp. However, if he continues to demonstrate such good hitting in the Futures League, he can receive a call-up to the first team at any time. Hanwha, whose team batting average has been stuck at a mere .197, has been weak with the bat for several years now. A moment when Ha Joo-seok will be needed is certain to arise, and he must be prepared.

Meanwhile, in the game that day, Doosan won 4-2 after a 10-inning extra innings tiebreaker. Rookie Hong Min-kyu, who started, pitched 5⅓ innings, allowing 8 hits, 1 walk, with 5 strikeouts and 1 earned run. Right fielder Yang Hyun-jin showcased his strong arm by making two accurate throws to get outs at third base and home plate. Hanwha's starter Kim Ki-jung also pitched well, going 5 innings allowing 3 hits, no walks, 4 strikeouts, and 1 earned run. Hanwha rookie outfielder Lee Min-jae also had a strong showing with 3 hits.

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