Chan-Heon Jung, who almost lost his free agency but signed a free agency contract with Kiwoom for a total of 860 million won over 2 years, will be on the mound for the first team.
Jeong Chan-heon 스포츠토토is recording an average ERA of 1.80 without winning or losing in two appearances in the Futures game. On the 14th, his first appearance, he scored 3 hits and 1 run in 3 innings against Doosan, and on the 19th against KT, he cleared 2 innings with no hits and four balls.
Coach Hong Won-ki explained, ahead of the Gocheok Samsung match on the 19th, “I haven’t received a detailed report on Jeong Chan-heon, but I heard that he’s okay. He plans to gradually increase the number of pitches.” Regarding the timing of the first team call-up, he said, “I can’t tell you anything hastily yet. It’s a preparation process, so there will be an opportunity (to call up to the first team) when the time comes.”
Coach Hong Won-ki plans to use Jeong Chan-heon as a starting resource. He said, “A player said that he would take on any position the team wants, but he needs starting resources, so he needs a process to improve his condition as well as the number of pitches.”
Kiwoom is solid, including Ace An Woo-jin, Eric Yokishi, Ariel Furado, and Choi Won-tae. A new face is needed to fill the last piece of the puzzle in the starting lineup. Jae-Young Jang, who started as the 5th starter this season, was insecure with an average ERA of 12.79, suffering from high stomachs in both appearances, and was eventually eliminated from the first team entry.
Director Hong Won-ki said,
He also said, “I didn’t send a long message to Jang Jae-young, but I want to use the expression of starting again simply and clearly.”
Director Hong Won-ki said, “I will open all possibilities” regarding Jang Jae-young’s replacement selection. For now, it is most ideal for Jeong Chan-heon, who has a wealth of experience, to join the starting lineup for the first team. He seems to need time to build his body as he belatedly contracted.