Can Kiwoom's No.1 Pick Jung Hyun-woo End His Victory Drought Against Lotte?

The Pressure of Being Number One

Being the first overall pick in any draft comes with enormous expectations, but for 19-year-old left-handed pitcher Jung Hyun-woo of the Kiwoom Heroes, the weight has been particularly heavy in 2025. Selected as the top choice in the 2025 KBO rookie draft from Deoksu High School, Jung signed a 500 million won contract with dreams of becoming the next great Korean left-hander. Fast forward to October 24, and the young southpaw finds himself in a challenging position: two wins, four losses, and a 4.81 ERA across eight games.

Jung's last outing on October 9 against LG was rough, allowing seven runs over just four innings. That performance sent him to the bench for two weeks, not due to demotion but simply lack of opportunities. Now, as he prepares to face the Lotte Giants at Gocheok Sky Dome, acting manager Seol Jong-jin has made a crucial commitment: Jung Hyun-woo will remain in the starting rotation through the end of the season. This isn't blind faith, it's a calculated investment in the franchise's future. Korean baseball communities on Naver and DC Inside have shown mixed reactions, with some fans expressing concern over his inconsistency while others praise the team's patience with their prized rookie.

What makes this situation particularly interesting is the cultural context. In Korean baseball, first overall picks carry immense burden, expected to contribute immediately while developing long-term potential. Jung's journey represents the classic growing pains of elite prospects, something international fans familiar with baseball development will recognize universally.

The Game Plan: More Fastballs, Less Stress

Acting manager Seol Jong-jin revealed specific tactical adjustments for Jung's return against Lotte. The most significant change involves pitch selection: Jung has developed a tendency to rely heavily on breaking balls, but for this matchup, the coaching staff has instructed him to increase his fastball usage. This strategic shift addresses a common issue with young pitchers who, lacking confidence or facing adversity, abandon their best weapon for secondary offerings.

Jung's fastball velocity has been a concern throughout the season. While he threw 150-152 km/h in high school, his professional average has dipped to around 141 km/h, raising questions about conditioning, mechanics, or the natural adjustment period to professional baseball's grind. His debut game on March 26 saw him throw a staggering 122 pitches over five innings, the second-most ever by a debuting pitcher in KBO history, sparking immediate controversy about workload management for an 18-year-old arm.

Seol also mentioned that Jung occasionally experiences sudden command issues mid-game, losing his release point and strike zone control. To combat this, the coaching staff plans to visit the mound frequently, providing reassurance and mechanical reminders. The manager set a target of five innings and approximately 100 pitches maximum, though he acknowledged that heavy early scoring might force an earlier exit. This careful monitoring reflects Kiwoom's long-term vision: they view Jung not just as a 2025 contributor but as a cornerstone of their pitching staff for years to come.

A Season of Highs and Lows

Jung Hyun-woo's 2025 season tells the story of promise and struggle in equal measure. He burst onto the scene with victories in his first two starts, most recently defeating Hanwha on April 12. That win marked his last trip to the victory column, a drought now stretching over three months. His overall record of 2-4 doesn't capture the full picture: there have been quality outings undermined by defensive miscues, and rough performances where his youth and inexperience showed clearly.

On June 8, after missing 57 days due to injury management, Jung returned with perhaps his best outing of the season, five innings of two-hit, one-run ball against LG with five strikeouts and zero walks. That performance demonstrated the ceiling that made him the consensus top pick. However, July proved brutal, as he posted a 12.00 ERA across two starts, allowing 12 earned runs in just nine innings. Fan reactions on Korean baseball blogs and communities like FM Korea ranged from sympathetic support to growing impatience, with some comparing his development unfavorably to second overall pick Jung Woo-joo, who has thrived in Hanwha's bullpen.

The cultural dimension here is significant for international readers: Korean sports fans are passionate but also remarkably knowledgeable about player development. The discourse around Jung focuses not just on immediate results but on mechanics, pitch sequencing, mental approach, and workload management. Kiwoom finished last place for the third consecutive season, rendering playoff implications moot, which actually provides Jung with a pressure-free environment to develop heading into the final weeks.

The Bigger Picture: Kiwoom's Reconstruction

Jung Hyun-woo's struggles exist within the context of organizational chaos at Kiwoom. The team recently parted ways with short-term foreign pitcher Lachlan Wells, whose six-week contract ended on July 23. Wells pitched effectively, including a strong final outing of six innings and three runs allowed against Lotte on July 22, but declined Kiwoom's extension offer due to family obligations, choosing to return to Australian baseball instead. This followed the shocking retirement announcement of another short-term foreign player, Stone Garrett, creating a revolving door situation that has plagued the Heroes all season.

With original foreign pitcher Kenny Rosenberg's injury proving long-term and already returned to the United States, Kiwoom has been forced to use their remaining foreign player replacement slot carefully. Acting manager Seol indicated that the front office is actively searching for another foreign pitcher, with an announcement expected soon. This instability has put additional pressure on the domestic pitching staff, particularly young arms like Jung who are being asked to shoulder innings while still learning professional baseball.

The team's commitment to Jung despite the turmoil speaks volumes. Rather than demoting him or limiting his role, they're providing consistent opportunities on a weekly schedule, avoiding back-to-back starts that might overtax his developing arm. This patient approach mirrors successful development models from other organizations, recognizing that first-year growing pains for elite prospects are normal, not catastrophic. For fans watching Jung's career unfold, October 24 against Lotte represents another chapter in what promises to be a long story, one that Kiwoom hopes will eventually justify their faith in the left-hander they made the face of their 2025 draft class.