Exclusion of 35 protected players → Kiwoom, positive opinion from 4.2 billion won infielder from SSG

 “I think my value has been recognized by being selected as the first overall pick.”

Veteran infielder Choi Joo-hwan (36) wore the Kiwoom Heroes uniform as the first overall pick in the KBO 2nd draft held on November 22 last year. At the time, Choi Joo-hwan said through the club immediately after being nominated, “I was surprised by the sudden decision. He got a lot of calls too. “He is trying to adapt well to his new club,” he said.

Choi Joo-hwan achieved his dream of debuting on the professional stage when he was selected by the Doosan Bears with the 46th pick in the 6th round of the 2nd round in 2006. After continuing his career as a player for Doosan for over 10 years, he obtained his first free agent qualification after the 2020 season, and signed a four-year contract with SSG for a total of 4.2 billion won (down payment of 1.2 billion won, total annual salary of 2.6 billion won, and options of 400 million won). ) signed a contract and transferred.

In the 2021 season, the first season of the transfer, he recorded 104 hits, 18 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 50 runs in 116 games. However, in the 2022 season, he only appeared in 97 games and his records were not good, with 63 hits, 9 home runs, 41 RBI, and 38 runs scored. In the 2023 season, his batting average remained at 0.235, but he showed his slugging ability with 100 hits, 20 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 48 runs scored. He hit 20 home runs in 5 years and the second 20 home runs in his personal career after hitting 26 home runs in the 2018 season while playing for Doosan.

He has appeared in 1,268 KBO games and has a batting average of 0.279, 1,048 hits, 115 home runs, 594 RBIs, and 513 runs scored.

Kiwoom coach Hong Won-ki, who met before leaving for spring camp in Arizona, USA on the 29th, said, “I recruited him because of his offensive ability. He expects a lot of RBIs. There will be many things to worry about, but I will try to place myself in the batting order where I can score a lot of RBI. You can also see the positions of first baseman, second baseman, and designated hitter. He expressed his belief, saying, “The positions will likely change depending on the players’ plans.”

Choi Joo-hwan, who met with reporters before leaving the country, said, “It feels new to come to Kiwoom. Since he came to a young team, I feel like I have become younger too. “If I adapt well, I think I will be able to do it in a good environment and energy,” he said.

He continued, “Everything is new. Now the dome stadium is used as the home stadium. Also, the commute to and from work has increased by 30 to 40 minutes compared to before. There were games canceled when it rained, but not anymore. “I have to adapt to the ground, and many things feel new,” he said.

Choi Joo-hwan is entering his 19th professional season, so even if he is a new team, there are more players he knows than unfamiliar players.

He said, “There is (Lee) Won-seok, and there are also (Kim) Hye-seong and (Cho) Sang-woo who were together at the Tokyo Olympics. (Kim) Jaewoong, whom I had talked to before, also spoke comfortably. He thought there were many juniors he didn't know, but there are more juniors he does know. I was talking with (Lee) Hyeong-jong earlier, and he said that there were more people he didn't know. “I think it will be important to go to Arizona and adapt well,” he said with a smile.

Kiwoom is an unknown team. Although he is always called a low-ranking candidate, he always shows performance that exceeds expectations. Choi Joo-hwan also knew the potential of Kiwoom, whom he faced while at Doosan and SSG.

 

“I think my value has been recognized by being selected as the first overall pick.”

Veteran infielder Choi Joo-hwan (36) wore the Kiwoom Heroes uniform as the first overall pick in the KBO 2nd draft held on November 22 last year. At the time, Choi Joo-hwan said through the club immediately after being nominated, “I was surprised by the sudden decision. He got a lot of calls too. “He is trying to adapt well to his new club,” he said.

Choi Joo-hwan achieved his dream of debuting on the professional stage when he was selected by the Doosan Bears with the 46th pick in the 6th round of the 2nd round in 2006. After continuing his career as a player for Doosan for over 10 years, he obtained his first free agent qualification after the 2020 season, and signed a four-year contract with SSG for a total of 4.2 billion won (down payment of 1.2 billion won, total annual salary of 2.6 billion won, and options of 400 million won). ) signed a contract and transferred.

In the 2021 season, the first season of the transfer, he recorded 104 hits, 18 home runs, 67 RBIs, and 50 runs in 116 games. However, in the 2022 season, he only appeared in 97 games and his records were not good, with 63 hits, 9 home runs, 41 RBI, and 38 runs scored. In the 2023 season, his batting average remained at 0.235, but he showed his slugging ability with 100 hits, 20 home runs, 63 RBIs, and 48 runs scored. He hit 20 home runs in 5 years and the second 20 home runs in his personal career after hitting 26 home runs in the 2018 season while playing for Doosan.

He has appeared in 1,268 KBO games and has a batting average of 0.279, 1,048 hits, 115 home runs, 594 RBIs, and 513 runs scored.

Kiwoom coach Hong Won-ki, who met before leaving for spring camp in Arizona, USA on the 29th, said, “I recruited him because of his offensive ability. He expects a lot of RBIs. There will be many things to worry about, but I will try to place myself in the batting order where I can score a lot of RBI. You can also see the positions of first baseman, second baseman, and designated hitter. He expressed his belief, saying, “The positions will likely change depending on the players’ plans.”

Choi Joo-hwan, who met with reporters before leaving the country, said, “It feels new to come to Kiwoom. Since he came to a young team, I feel like I have become younger too. “If I adapt well, I think I will be able to do it in a good environment and energy,” he said.

He continued, “Everything is new. Now the dome stadium is used as the home stadium. Also, the commute to and from work has increased by 30 to 40 minutes compared to before. There were games canceled when it rained, but not anymore. “I have to adapt to the ground, and many things feel new,” he said.

Choi Joo-hwan is entering his 19th professional season, so even if he is a new team, there are more players he knows than unfamiliar players.

He said, “There is (Lee) Won-seok, and there are also (Kim) Hye-seong and (Cho) Sang-woo who were together at the Tokyo Olympics. (Kim) Jaewoong, whom I had talked to before, also spoke comfortably. He thought there were many juniors he didn't know, but there are more juniors he does know. I was talking with (Lee) Hyeong-jong earlier, and he said that there were more people he didn't know. “I think it will be important to go to Arizona and adapt well,” he said with a smile.

Kiwoom is an unknown team. Although he is always called a low-ranking candidate, he always shows performance that exceeds expectations. Choi Joo-hwan also knew the potential of Kiwoom, whom he faced while at Doosan and SSG.

 

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