Hanwha Eagles shortstop Ha Joo-seok (31) is honing his skills in the second team, overcoming humiliation and sorrow.
On the 26th, Ha started at shortstop in the Futures League game against Doosan Bears held at Seosan Stadium, hitting 2 for 3 with a walk.
With this, Ha continued his incredible batting form with four consecutive multi-hit games in the second team. On the 22nd against Goyang, he recorded 3 hits out of 6 at-bats, 1 run batted in, 1 run scored, and 1 stolen base; on the 23rd against Goyang, 2 hits out of 3 at-bats; and on the 25th against Doosan, 2 hits out of 3 at-bats, achieving another multi-hit game. Ha's batting average in the second team rose to .556 (10 hits out of 18 at-bats).
Facing Jo Jae-young, he created a full count with two outs and no runners in the first inning, getting a hit that went over the second baseman's head.
In the bottom of the third inning with one out and runners on second base, he hit a ball to center field, continuing the opportunity with one out on first and third base. Ha, who had a full count battle with Jo Jae-young, hit a line drive toward the center fielder. Doosan's center fielder Kang Hyun-kyu attempted a diving catch but failed to secure the ball in his glove. Completion of a multi-hit game.
As the leadoff hitter in the bottom of the fifth, Ha struck out swinging against left-handed pitcher Nam Ho. In the bottom of the sixth, he returned to the plate with another scoring opportunity. With two outs and a runner on third base in the sixth, Ha faced Lee Seung-jin and drew a walk. He completed a game with three on-base appearances and was substituted as a pinch runner, finishing the game.
In 2012, he was treated as a franchise star as a first-round draft pick for Hanwha. However, he did not grow as expected. Still, while taking on the role of starting shortstop, he also served as team captain in 2022. However, that year, he faced criticism for his behavior on and off the dugout. An incident occurred when he threw his helmet in the dugout, hitting then-first base coach Wes Clements on the head. He was also caught drunk driving in 2022.
After that, Ha's position rapidly diminished. With the emergence of Lee Do-yun and Hwang Young-mook, who dreamed of becoming independent league legends, opportunities for Ha decreased. Furthermore, after last season, he was signed for 5 billion won over four years, along with the signing of Shin Woo-jun as the starting shortstop.
Ha applied for free agency but had to endure a winter amid Hanwha's cold response and the market's frigid gaze. Ultimately, Ha signed a humiliating contract with Hanwha for a total of 110 million won for one year. The guaranteed amount is only 90 million won.
Realistically, there was no place for Ha this year. Excluded from the first team's spring camp roster, he had to prepare himself in the second team's spring camp. He joined the exhibition games and aimed to appeal with a .400 batting average (2 hits out of 5 at-bats) and 1 run batted in, but there was not enough time. Ultimately, Ha had to start the season in the second team, not the first.
Ha is swinging fiercely in the second team, determined to make an impression while showcasing his talent. He has recognized the narrowness of the second team stage and is waiting for a call-up to the first team.
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