Kiwoom Heroes' "First Designated" outfielder Park Joo-hong hit his first home run in the first division. "It's different than before," he said calmly. 메이저사이트

Park Joo-hong started the exhibition game against the Lotte Giants in the 2025 KBO League at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 17th and scored one hit (one home run) and one RBI in three times at bat. He faced Lotte ace Park Se-woong as the leadoff batter in the bottom of the second inning, when the score was tied 1-1, and hit a 148km/h four-seam fastball (straight ball) in a full count match to cross the left fence. 

Park Joo-hong wore Kiwoom uniform as the first designated player in 2020. He was a top prospect chosen by Kiwoom, which has consistently produced players who are advancing to the Major League Baseball (MLB) stage by posting. 

Park, however, failed to make it to the first division for five years after his debut. He played in more than 30 games in a single season. He also had no home run. The homer he hit off Park was his first in an official league match. 

"I was happy," Park said after the game. It had many meanings. He said he was sure that the ball would go over the fence, but he also expressed his honest feelings that he was worried that the ball would bend and head out of the pole. He said he felt even better because it was his first home run in the first division. 

There have been some changes. Park originally hit by kicking leg kicks, but as first-team pitchers had difficulty in targeting, he changed the batting by tapping Lee Dong-bal (left-handed batter's right foot) on the ground to adjust the timing and turn the bat. "I referred to Shohei Ohtani in the Major Leaguer's batting posture," Park said. 

One at-bat and one at-bat in an exhibition game are valuable opportunities for Park. He used to dwell on the results, but now he is repeating, "Let's not leave any regrets." He also set a realistic goal of swinging boldly without missing out on the opponent's pitching. "My performance in the trial game is not good, but I think it has changed a lot compared to the previous one," Park said again. "I will try to do better by trusting what I have prepared." 

Kiwoom ranked 10th for the last two consecutive seasons (2023-2024). This season is also considered one of the weaknesses. Park believes that his growth will serve as the source of the unexpected drama that Kiwoom will show. "Our team is doing well in the exhibition games. If an unexpected player like me comes out, I will be able to do better," he stressed. 

In reality, there are no seats in the Kiwoom outfield. Foreign hitters Ruben Cardinez and Yasiel Puig and Lee Ju-hyung, who are expected to succeed Lee Jung-hoo, are expected to build the main lineup. Veteran players such as Lee Hyung-jong and Lee Yong-kyu are aiming for backup outfielders or designated hitters. 

Kiwoom is a team that has a strong sense of bringing out the potential of young players. Attention is focusing on whether Park Joo-hong, who has not been awakened for the past five years, will be a hit product for the 2025 season.