메이저놀이터Songwon University ace Jeong Hyun-soo (22), who was selected in the second round by the Lotte Giants, expressed his gratitude for his senior, Lee Dae-ho, and his affection for his hometown team, Lotte.
Hyunsoo Jeong was selected by Lotte as the 13th overall pick in the second round of the ‘2024 KBO Rookie Draft’ held at the Grand Ballroom of the Westin Chosun Hotel in Seoul on the 14th. Hyunsoo Jeong, who is considered the best left-handed pitcher in college, played in 11 games (42⅔ innings) this year with 4 wins, 2 losses, and an average ERA of 2.09.
Jeong Hyun-soo, who played at Songwon University after attending Busan High School, said, “I returned to my hometown four years after leaving. Something feels new. He was a batsman during his days at Busan High School, but he was very discouraged because he did not receive a professional designation. So he worked really hard for four years and it feels really good to finally come to his hometown team, Lotte,” he said of his nomination.
Jeong Hyun-soo, who said, “When I was young, I really went to Sajik Stadium often,” said, “I still remember using the orange baton at Sajik Stadium when I was young. He started playing baseball after seeing senior Lee Dae-ho. “I want to quickly step on the mound at Sajik Stadium, where senior Lee Dae-ho played,” he said, expressing his affection for Lotte.
Jeong Hyun-soo recently gained popularity by appearing on the TV baseball entertainment program ‘Strongest Baseball’. He got the opportunity to play baseball with Lee Dae-ho, whom he had admired since childhood, in the strongest baseball league. Jeong Hyun-soo said, “When I was young, I never had a chance to meet him in person because he was such a great senior,” and added, “I met him for the first time while filming Strongest Baseball this year, and his aura was so cool. “It was a really amazing experience,” he said with a laugh.
Jeong Hyun-soo, who received a lot of advice from Dae-ho Lee, said, “He told me a lot about the mindset and attitude toward baseball in the future. He told me that I had to be honest from the moment I played catch, and that my attitude toward baseball and every action I took were very important. He gives me a lot of advice even after the camera is off. “He advised me that this is not the end and that it is important to go pro and do well,” he said of Dae-ho Lee’s advice.
Jeong Hyun-soo, who chose Kim Won-jung as the pitcher he most wanted to meet at Lotte, said, “Senior Kim Won-jung graduated from Gwangju Dongseong High School and is said to have worked out with a professor at our school. “I’ve heard a lot about him and seen him as a closing pitcher on TV, and I really want to be like him and he’s so cool,” he said, looking forward to meeting Kim Won-joong.
Jeong Hyeon-soo, who said he wanted to meet the fans on the mound of Sajik Stadium as soon as possible, said, “I still can’t believe I was nominated to Lotte. I’m dumbfounded. It means a lot to me to be on the mound for my hometown team. If you go to Sajik Stadium, there will be a lot of fans. I think I will have more concentration because I have dreamed of such scenes since I was young. He pledged to make his first-team debut, saying, “I want to work hard and become a good pitcher for the Lotte Giants.”