15 consecutive hits in the strongest baseball games of an independent team

Hwang Young-mook (25) of the Hanwha Eagles is showing off his heavy presence in the KBO league. The life-changing story of an infielder who used to be an independent baseball team's former goal of this season is drawing attention.

Hwang Young-mook has maintained an outstanding batting performance of 0.370 (20 hits in 54 times at bat) with one home run, seven RBIs and 10 runs scored in 17 games of the 2024 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League until the 1st. What attracts attention is his ability to produce hits. He has been hitting 15 consecutive games since the match against KIA in Daejeon on the 12th of last month. Hwang had three hits in a match against SSG in Daejeon on the 1st. "He has a good sense of hitting the ball on short and simple swings," Hanwha senior coach Chung Kyung-bae praised.

Hwang was drafted by Hanwha in September last year in the rookie draft. His baseball career is full of ups and downs. Hwang, who graduated from Chunghun High School, was not nominated by a professional team. He went to Chung-Ang University afterwards, but left in less than a year. Wanting to focus more on baseball, Hwang headed to the independent league. Independent league is a place where rookies who have been released by professional teams or who have not received a designation play. Most independent baseball teams play by paying membership fees. After playing for Seongnam Blue Panthers and Yeoncheon Miracle, Hwang worked part-time jobs such as delivery service when he finished training to make a living. He also served in the military.

Hwang's name began to be known little by little after he appeared on JTBC's entertainment program "The Greatest Baseball." Hwang, who joined the strongest baseball team through a tryout in 2023, displayed skills comparable to those of his former KBO league stars and caught the attention of Hanwha's scout. Hwang held onto it since the closing camp in November last year. He went to work before others and left work the last one, determined to quit baseball if he was kicked out. The price of his hard work was certain. After receiving impressions from Hanwha manager Choi Won-ho at this year's spring camp, Hwang got the opportunity to play due to the injury of his flagship shortstop Ha Ju-seok in early April, and seized the opportunity to visit. Hwang is also an outstanding defensive player. He is a shortstop, but he can play all positions if he needs to play second and third basemen. In addition, his stable pitching capability and throwing capability are outstanding.

Senior players are proud of Hwang Young-mook, who is running like a do-or-die player. Outfielder Kim Kang-min and others applaud Hwang for his recent performance, including giving him a bat. Hwang is excited every day these days. "When I was playing in the independent league, I only thought, 'I wish I could play baseball as a professional again.' I prepared it thinking that I had to catch it no matter what if I had a chance, and I will focus on what I have to do every moment from now on," he said.

BY: 토토