Rookie Eagles pitcher hoping to pitch in Korean Series after getting 1st postseason taste
Hanwha Eagles starter Jeong Woo-joo celebrates after completing the bottom of the third inning of Game 4 of the second-round series in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, Wednesday. Yonhap
Still just weeks away from his 19th birthday, Hanwha Eagles rookie right-hander Jeong Woo-joo is grateful for the chance to pitch in postseason games for the first time.
He now hopes he will get to keep doing that beyond this week.
Jeong threw 3 1/3 shutout innings in a start against the Samsung Lions in Game 4 of the teams' best-of-five Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason series Wednesday night. Relying on high fastballs, Jeong struck out five batters in a dominant showing that exceeded even the most optimistic of expectations.
A win would have sent the Eagles to the Korean Series for the first time since 2006, but they blew a 4-0 lead and lost 7-4, setting up a do-or-die Game 5 for Friday night at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark in the central city of Daejeon.
That game was Jeong's second postseason outing, following a relief appearance in Game 2 on Sunday. The pitcher said he couldn't have asked for much more in his rookie campaign.
"I didn't think I would get to start a postseason game in my rookie year," Jeong told reporters before the deciding game at his home park. "I am so thankful for my manager (Kim Kyung-moon) for having trust in me. This experience has been really important for me."
With the Eagles now a win away from moving on, Jeong said he didn't want his team's season to end now.
"I've always wanted to go pitch in the Korean Series and now that drive is even stronger," Jeong said. "I really want a chance to play on an even bigger stage."
Jeong, the second overall pick at the KBO draft last year, pitched in some big games and won national titles while in high school, but they can't compare to postseason action in pro ball.
"This is on a whole new level," Jeong said with a smile. "All the players and the fans are really locked in on every single pitch. There is so much more tension, but this is also a lot more fun. I feel like I am growing with every pitch."
Though the Eagles frittered away a big lead in Game 4, Jeong said the vibe in the clubhouse has remained upbeat.
"Our veterans have been trying to keep things light and positive," Jeong said. "We all feel confident we can win this game."