The 19-year-old’s shoulders saved his team from the brink.
KT Wiz outfielder Jung Joon-young (19) came in for Anthony Alford in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Samsung Lions in the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ at Samsung Lions Park in Daegu on 23rd.
Jung’s true value came later in the game. He proved why KT manager Lee Kang-cheol chose to move him to the outfield.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, his team was leading 8-7 with runners on first and second. Ryu Ji-hyuk hit a ball that landed in front of Jeong Jun-young in left field. The pinch runner, Ahn Joo-hyung, quickly rounded third base and drove home. Jung Jun-young made a quick throw to catcher Jang Sung-woo, who threw out the runner at the plate.
With the lead protected by Jung’s catch, KT kept the momentum going and went on to win 8-7 against Samsung.
Jung Jun-young was selected by KT with the 20th overall pick in the second round of the 2023 KBO League Rookie Draft. Although this is his first season as a professional, he has contributed to the team with his batting, defence and base running.
According to the KT Futures League power analysts, “Jung has a good (first) foot start, a wide defensive range, strong shoulders, and excellent strength and accuracy in his delivery.” And he’s showing promise by using his talents at the first team level.
In fact, it wasn’t the first time Jeong’s shoulders have shone for Samsung, as he also made a brilliant play against the Suwon Kiwoom Heroes on the 9th of last month. In the top of the ninth inning, with runners on first and second in a 2-2 tie, he caught Lee Jung-hoo’s hit and accurately threw home to cut down second baseman Lim Byung-wook. That’s the second time this season he’s saved his team with his shoulder. It was an unbelievable play from a 19-year-old rookie.카지노사이트
In addition to his defence, Jung can provide a boost to the team in many ways, with his ability to make good contact and run the bases, as well as his aggressive base running and ability to steal bases on his own. He is an exceptional prospect that we are looking forward to seeing more of in the future.
Meanwhile, KT moved up one spot to sixth in the league (39 wins, 2 draws, 42 losses) after winning the Samsung Electronics Winning Series. The team was able to end the second half of the season on a high note, thanks to the shoulders of Jung Jun-young, who was able to shut down some of their best bats, including Ahn Joo-hyung and Lim Byung-wook.
Jung Jun-young Facts
Date of birth: 26 January 2004
Drafted by KT in the second round, 20th overall, in 2023
In 34 games in 2023, batted .292 (48-for-14) with six RBI and a 0.666 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage)