An Chi-hong? Shim Woo-jun? I opened up all possibilities...Hanwha's first batter at the new stadium, drawing from Okinawa camp

Feb 27, 2025

Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon is watching the practice game between the Hanwha Eagles and the Chiba Lotte Marines at Itoman Nishijaki Baseball Stadium in Okinawa, Japan, on the 23rd. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.02.23/

"I think it's better to open up the possibilities."

Hanwha Eagles Okinawa Spring Camp, which is focused on actual games. One of the camp tasks is to find the first batter,

In Melbourne, Australia, which was the first camp, he played a total of three games with the Australian national team. At that time, the first batter was 'Transferred Life' Shim Woo-jun. It is a card that can shake the opponent from the beginning if the on-base is achieved because it has a fast main force that makes it to the top of the stolen base.

It was not confirmed. Hanwha manager Kim Kyung-moon said, `We will use Shim Woo-joon as the first hitter in Australia, and in Okinawa, we will use another player and find the right first hitter for the team.'

The argument continued over Shim Woo-joon's No. 1 hitter card. Although he has strengths in defense and main focus, his career on-base percentage is only 0.303. While signing a contract with Hanwha, he trained with a lot of worries about hitting the offseason, but there are still many question marks. As head coach Kim continued to look negatively toward 「No. 1 Shim Woo-jun」, it seems that there is no need to break the morale before opening the lid. I hope the fans will be encouraged. (Shim) Woo-jun was also under a lot of stress. He also expressed his regret.

Hanwha Eagles and Chiba Lotte Marines practice game at Itoman Nishijaki Baseball Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on the 23rd, and Hanwha Shim Woo-joon hits in the top of the third inning. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.02.23/

Hanwha An Chi-hong hits a practice game between the Hanwha Eagles and the Chiba Lotte Marines at Itoman Nishijaki Baseball Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on the 23rd. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.02.23/

Shim Woo-joon was placed as the ninth hitter after being the first hitter in three games in Australia. Lee Won-seok and Lee Jin-young came out in order as the first hitter. They are competing for outfield seats.

In the Hanshin Tigers' second division match on the 22nd and the Chiba Lotte Marines match on the 23rd, Lee Won-seok came out as the first batter. He had two hits in the Hanshin 2nd division and a walk in the match against Chiba Lotte.

Lee Jin-young was named the first batter in the match between the KIA Tigers on the 25th and the KT Wiz on the 26th. He hit one hit each.

In a practice game between KT and Hanwha at Kochinda Stadium in Okinawa, Japan on the 26th, Hanwha Lee Won-seok is happy to make a timely come-from-behind hit in the bottom of the eighth inning. Okinawa (Japan) = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.02.26/

Coach Kim said, `We left all possibilities open while playing. An Chi-hong may go out as the first hitter. If Shim Woo-joon is comfortably in good condition, he may come in as No. 1. I thought it would be better to leave it open without setting a fixed decision.'"An Chi-hong is also an experienced player who has hit the first batter. However, before that, it is best for our young players to take their seats."

The experiment will end in spring camp. Coach Kim said, `I don't think it's good that the batters change too often when they enter the trial game. "When I enter Korea, I hope that a more fixed lineup will come out without shaking the lineup," he said. The player who clearly takes the opportunity in the spring camp will eventually be able to stand as the first batter of Hanwha, the new stadium.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.

An Chi-hong? Shim Woo-jun? I opened up all possibilities...Hanwha's first batter at the new stadium, drawing from Okinawa camp

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