Goyang Wonders living up to name

By Kang Seung-woo

The Goyang Wonders, an independent baseball club, are living up to their name by continuously producing players for the country’s professional teams.

The club announced Wednesday that outfielder Kang Ha-seung will don the Kia Tigers’ red and black uniform — the third from the Wonders to join a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) side this year.

Southpaw Lee Hee-sung was first off the independent team’s production line, joining the LG Twins last month, followed by infielder Kim Young-kwan, who also plays for the Seoul-based outfit.

The Wonders were established in December 2011 under the slogan of offering new opportunities for those who were undrafted or released by professional teams. They are owned by Hur Min, chief executive officer of We Make Price, a social commerce business.

Lee, who began his pro career with the Nexen Heroes in 2011, was cut after spending most of his rookie year in the Futures League. Kim and Kang were not selected in the 2008 and 2011 drafts, respectively.

Goyang general manager Ha Song said that above all, permission to let the Wonders compete in the Futures League — a second-tier division of the KBO — is a big boon to expanding the pool of pros.

“The Wonders, the nation’s only independent team, are not affiliated with the Korean baseball league, but the KBO and eight clubs did us a favor, which enables our players to play at a professional level and raise their game,” Ha said.

Along with the team’s participation in the Futures League, their experienced coaching staff and bold investment by the owner have also contributed to the Wonders churning out pro-caliber players, the general manager added.

The Wonders named Kim Sung-keun their first manager one week ahead of the team’s foundation, while adding former high-profile players such as Kim Kwang-soo and Shin Kyung-shik to his coaching staff.

Kim Sung-keun coached six KBO teams and led the SK Wyverns to the Korean Series title in 2007, 2008 and 2010 and the two coaches played under him at the OB Bears, the forerunner of the Doosan Bears.

Unlike pro teams, the Wonders took their entire squad for three months of winter training, including a 50-day spring camp in Japan. In addition, the team has agreed with the KBO to transfer players to professional teams without receiving a transfer fee.

The owner, known for his baseball fervor, launched the team with a plan to spend 1 billion won ($880,000) each year but has already passed that mark.

“We have already spent three or four times more than we planned,” the general manager said.

According to Ha, the Wonders make money from sponsorship deals and selling memorabilia and collectibles but they take a little part of their earnings.”

“Hur devotes his private fortune to run the baseball club,” he said.