Director Hong Won-ki answered directlySpecial rookie Jung Hyunwoo, why did you fail the spring camp
Jan 21, 2025
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Chung Hyun-woo, the No. 1 overall rookie of the Kiwoom Heroes, will not go to the U.S., the first spring camp. What's the reason. Kiwoom manager Hong Won-ki gave a clear answer.
Kiwoom revealed 33 players who will participate in the first spring camp in Arizona, USA. What drew attention after the announcement was why Kiwoom did not take Jung Hyun-woo, the pitcher who was ranked No. 1 overall in the all-time rookie draft, to the camp.
Usually, clubs include rookie players in the first spring camp. They are mostly rookies in the first round. This is because the quality of the players is good, so there is a possibility that they can play in the first team right away. And only when rookie players participate like this can the camp atmosphere live. And it also motivates young players. Even if rookie players lack skills, they often take them.
But Kiwoom made a cold choice. Not a single rookie was included. Of course, it is true that the main players who will play in the first team are the priority. However, it is surprising to exclude Chung Hyun-woo, who is likely to enter the starting rotation immediately, who was selected as the first overall pick.
Coach Hong Won-ki solved the curiosity about this. Coach Hong said, `Jung Hyun-woo was a player I wanted to take. However, it was evaluated that management was needed by throwing a lot of balls last year. Fatigue built up in my elbow. So even in Taiwan's finishing camp, I rarely threw the ball. He said he threw it at the last minute and "I'll go overboard when a rookie joins the first-team spring camp." But now, Jung Hyun-woo is not fully recovered. In the meantime, I didn't think I was going to join the first-team camp. You can go overboard for no reason. Rookie players played their final camp in Taiwan last year. I decided that it would be better to build my body on that extension", he explained.
Chung Hyun-woo is said to have pitched at the end of the day after not actually throwing the ball in Taiwan's closing camp. Now, with the situation of lifting the body, we have come to an internal conclusion that there is no need to overdo it.
Hong continued "We will meet both the first and second teams in Taiwan. At that time, we can see Jung Hyun-woo again. If you have a sense of power immediately, you can prepare for the exhibition game and opening from then on," he stressed.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
