“I want to become the number one pitcher in Korea.”

In the 2023 Shinsegae E-Mart Cup National High School Baseball Championship, which ended with the victory of Deoksu High School, the ‘prestigious baseball player’, Jung Hyun-woo (Deoksu High School)’s pitching caught the attention of professional baseball scouts.

In the final of the tournament held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon 스포츠토토on the 11th, Jung Hyun-woo showed a dazzling pitching performance of 6.2 innings, 1 hit and 1 run against Gangneung High School, contributing greatly to Deoksu High School’s 5-4 victory. Deoksu High School put Jeong Hyun-woo on the mound that day when starting pitcher Lee Jong-ho faltered by giving up 2 runs in 1.1 innings. Jung Hyun-woo took over the mound in the second inning with one out, first and third base, and tied up the opponent’s batting line with seven strikeouts until the eighth inning. 105 pitches. Jung Hyun-woo received the Outstanding Pitcher Award in this tournament. Deoksoo High School coach Jung Yun-jin, who met with reporters after the game, said, “He is the best player. We won because we gave the best pitching today. It was praised as the number one contributor to the victory.”

This is the first time Jung Hyeon-woo, a sophomore, has appeared in a national championship. Jung Hyeon-woo appeared in 5 games in this tournament and left 2 wins (undefeated) with an ERA of 0.95. He showed off his powerful pitch by striking out 29 times in 19 innings, although his control was somewhat disappointing.

Jung Hyeon-woo is a cotyledon that has the potential to become. Jung Hyun-woo started his career as a player in the 5th grade of elementary school, one or two years later than other players. He was encouraged by his mother, who loved baseball. His family also includes a baseball player. His older cousin brother is Kim Min-soo, a catcher who plays for Samsung. Jung Hyeon-woo stood out early. In particular, he excels in his qualities as a pitcher. His current best speed is 147km. Being able to throw various breaking balls is Jung’s greatest charm. Manager Jeong Yun-jin said, “I throw both curve and power curve, and I throw two sliders, one with a short angle and one with a large angle. There is also a circle changeup and splitter here. High school students like this are rare. In the future, he will become a player representing Korea.” He also gives thumbs up to those around him, saying, “A friend who has become a character.”

Already, professional baseball team scouts are paying attention to Jung Hyun-woo. A club scout said, “It is difficult to evaluate a player after only one tournament. It is the high school players who change drastically every tournament,” he said. “However, Jung Hyun-woo deserves the attention of professional scouts in this tournament. He is undoubtedly a player to keep an eye on until next year’s rookie draft.”

Jung Hyun-woo is paying attention to the increase in arrests this year. On the 12th, he is working hard to increase the speed while watching Hanwha Moon Dong-ju, who recorded 160 km per hour for the first time as a native pitcher in domestic professional baseball. Jeong Hyun-woo said, “I don’t have a specific role model, but I study the pitching form while watching Moon Dong-ju (Hanwha). He has a neat and pretty form, so I am copying him.”

Jung Hyun-woo’s dream is to become the best player in professional baseball. Jeong Hyun-woo said, “I want to throw 150km before the end of my sophomore year this year. The goal is to be the 1st selection of Korean natives. He wants to become the ace of the national team.”