Jung Woo-joo (18) of Jeonju High School, the biggest fish in high school, made a strong impression by displaying fast balls of 156 kilometers per hour four times in front of scouts in the Major League. However, after taking the mound, Jung declared his challenge to the KBO League, not directly to the Major League.
Jung Woo-joo came up as the second pitcher for the high school All-Star team in the 2024 Hanwha Eagles Bae High School and College All-Star Game held at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on the 6th, scoring one hit, one walk, two strikeouts and one run in an inning.업소알바
The tournament, which was held for the first time last year and was evaluated as contributing to the development of amateur baseball, was a perfect opportunity to identify players who will be responsible for the future of Korean baseball. Among the players who participated in the first tournament, 20 out of 21 high school seniors and 18 out of 23 college draft candidates wore professional uniforms, and this year, the evaluation criteria were strengthened a little more to raise the level.
Since a large number of players who will participate in the 2025 KBO Rookie Draft, which will be held in the second half of this year, more than 700 spectators, 10 KBO League club scouts, and some major league club scouts, including the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, San Diego Padres, and Kansas City Royals, also visited Daejeon.
It was a more enjoyable game than expected. Seven of the 10 high school All-Star pitchers who rose on the day threw fast balls with a maximum speed of 150 kilometers per hour or more. Among them, Jung Woo-joo was the one that drew the most cheers from the audience.
Jung Woo-joo struck out swinging by throwing a fastball of 156km-153km-151km per hour (based on the broadcast) against Hyun Dong-kyu, the 4th college All-Star. Since then, he gave up a hit and a walk and even gave up one run due to a balk due to a catcher and a signature miss, but he ended the showcase splendidly by striking out the last batter with a fastball of 153km per hour. According to the Hanwha club, Jung Woo-joo’s maximum speed on the day was 156km per hour, imprinting why he is the most likely player to be nominated in the KBO rookie draft this year.
The key was whether he would try the KBO rookie draft. Recently, the KBO league has been regrettable as players, who were mentioned as the biggest words in high school, tried to play in the Major League one after another. Shim Joon-seok (20) of Deoksu High School headed to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2022, and Jang Hyun-seok (20) of Masan Yongmago in 2023 headed to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Both of them were right-handed fire bowlers who sprayed balls up to 155 kilometers per hour.
However, Jung has made up his mind to stay in Korea. “Many people think I’m going to the Major League, but I still want to play in Korea and go to the Major League. I think I’ve made up my mind,” Jung said.
“Players like me are the basic players in the Major League. I think the (major league) is still far from my level. My rival (Jung) Hyun-woo is throwing well, and I think that’s what happened naturally as we worked hard together.”
Jung Woo-ju is a promising prospect who will be named the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 KBO Rookie Draft. Baek Bong-cho (Namyangju Little) – Jung Woo-ju, who graduated from University Bukbu Middle School, moved from Shinil High School to Jeonju High School in August last year. During the six-month suspension due to transfer during the season, he intensively trained his lower body and core muscles with a trainer who was a former soccer team, and as a result, he was able to throw fast balls with speeds of up to 156 kilometers per hour that exceeded 2,600 rpm. He emerged as the No. 1 candidate in the entire winter by using various splitters, sliders, circle changeups and curves.
On this day, scouts from 10 KBO clubs directly delivered a commemorative phrase with individual messages for participating players, and Jung Woo-joo was engraved with the words “Untouchable, KBO future ace.” Jung Woo-joo, who received the ball, said, “I really appreciate and liked you for writing very nice words,” adding, “I am confident in the first place nomination.”
At the same time, Kiwoom Heroes, who have the first overall pick of this year’s rookie draft, smiled. On this day, Kiwoom had three scouts along with general manager Ko Hyung-wook and confirmed Jung Woo-joo’s amazing skills with both eyes. Recently, Kiwoom has been realizing the gap caused by the enlistment of ace Ahn Woo-jin (26). Another right-handed fire bowler Jang Jae-young (22, Kiwoom’s first nomination in 2022) was expected to follow, but after three years of challenge, he declared to turn to batter last month. Prior to that, Kim Gun-hee (20, Kiwoom 2023, No. 1R No. 6) who had a possibility of a right-handed fire bowler completely decided his career path as a catcher, and the prospect of throwing a ball over 155km/h on the Kiwoom mound disappeared.
However, this year, when the right-handed fire bowler, who finished last for the first time since 2011, declared his stay in Korea, Kiwoom fell into a happy dilemma.