Jung Woo-joo, a rookie pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles in 2025, signed a down payment of 500 million won and received the same treatment as Chung Hyeon-woo, the "No. 1 overall" Kiwoom Heroes' rookie. Jung Woo-joo's tension doubled due to the honor of Ryu Hyun-jin, a senior player of the "Korean Monster," giving a shot. 메이저사이트

Hanwha officially announced contracts with 11 new players in 2025 on the 28th. 

Jung Woo-joo, the second runner-up in the first round, received the most attention, and signed a down payment of 500 million won (approx. Hanwha expects Jung Woo-joo, who is good at fastball from soft balance to mid-150km/h speed, will contribute to the team's strength in the near future.

Second-rounder pitcher Kwon Min-gyu (Se Young-hwa) signed a contract with Hanwha for a down payment of 160 million won, and third-rounder catcher Han Ji-yoon (Gyeonggi Sang High School) for 110 million won. Hanwha also signed contracts with fourth-rounder infielder Bae Seung-soo (Deoksu High School, 90 million won), fifth-rounder pitcher Lee Dong-young (Sangwon High School, 70 million won), sixth-rounder pitcher Park Sang-hyun (Ansan Technical High School, 60 million won), seventh-rounder infielder Lee Ji-sung (Laon Go, 50 million won), eighth-rounder pitcher Um Sang-hyun (Hong Ik-dae, early draft, 40 million won), ninth-rounder pitcher Um Yo-sep (In Warehouse, 40 million won), 10th-rounder pitcher Choi Joo-won (Bukil High School, 30 million won), and 11th-rounder outfielder Lee Min-jae (Dongwon College of Science and Technology, 30 million won).

Jung Woo-joo attended a rookie welcome event held in the match between SSG Landers and Hanwha Eagles in Daejeon of the "2024 Shinhan Sol Bank KBO League" on the 28th. Jung Woo-joo, who threw the first pitch under the senior Ryu Hyun-jin's shot and appeared in front of reporters, said, "I've been very nervous about today's event for a few days. In particular, I didn't even dream that Ryu Hyun-jin would give me a shot when I threw the first pitch. Ryu Hyun-jin said, "Don't throw strongly (laugh). I almost passed it back, but I was able to throw it comfortably because of you." 

The 500 million won down payment for Jung Woo-ju is the same as that for Moon Dong-ju, the first rookie draft pick in 2022, and Kim Seo-hyun, the first overall rookie round pick in 2023. Above all, the fact that the down payment was the same as that of Jung Hyun-woo, who was the first overall pick in the rookie draft set Jung Woo-ju's pride.

Jung Woo-joo said, "I was looking forward to the down payment, but I felt even better when I heard it in person. It would not have been easy to give the same as the No. 1 player (Jeong Hyun-woo), but it was an honor to be able to build up my pride. It is an honor to have the same number of down payment as Moon Dong-ju and Kim Seo-hyun, and I will play in Hanwha with more responsibility." 

Jung Woo-joo picked breaking balls as an urgent task to adjust to the first division stage. "Personally, I think breaking balls are the most urgent thing to do. If the breaking balls improve, the game management will automatically be supplemented," Jung said. "Between changeups and splitters, Jung Woo-joo often throws good pitches on the day. I want to throw slow breaking balls well, but I want to learn a lot from Ryu Hyun-jin." 

Jung pointed out Kia Tigers infielder Kim Do-young as the player he wants to play the most in the first division. "I want to play against Kim Do-young the most as he will be recorded as a Korean baseball legend in the future. I will play the first ball with the fastball that I am most confident in," Jung said. 

Lastly, Jung Woo-joo said, "My personal dream is to be a starting pitcher, but considering myself as a different position in the team, I am confident that I will throw well in any position. I have no problem with my physical condition at all. I want to show my sincere attitude like a rookie."