“I looked up my opponent’s record and found….”
Moon Dong-ju (20-Hanwha Eagles) returned home via Gimpo International Airport on Nov. 20. He traveled to Tokyo, Japan, for the 2023 Asian Professional Baseball Championship (APBC) on Nov. 14 and pitched 5⅔ innings of two-run ball against Australia in the preliminary round. Korea finished the tournament as runners-up, losing to Japan in the final.
“I wasn’t at my best in the first game,” Moon said. I thought I wasn’t in my best form from the first inning, but I tried to throw it where I wanted to, and I think I got better as the innings went on,” said Moon. “In the beginning of the season, if I started badly, it was often bad until the end, but the positive thing was that I found my rhythm as the innings went on. I was very much in the mindset of trying to get as many innings as possible. I wish I could have gone six innings, but I’m disappointed.”
After the tournament, Moon arrived back in South Korea with some good news. His team, Hanwha, had made a free agent signing. On the afternoon of the 20th, Hanwha signed free agent infielder Ahn Chi-hong to a 4+2 year contract totaling 7.2 billion won. For the first four years, he will receive a total of 5.5 billion won, including 4.7 billion won in guarantees and 800 million won in incentives. The club and player have an option for a second year, and if the contract is extended, it will be worth a total of 1.7 billion won, including 1.3 billion won in guarantees and 400 million won in incentives.
Ahn was drafted by the KIA Tigers in the second round (1st overall) of the 2009 KBO Draft. He became a free agent for the first time after the 2019 season and signed a 2+2 year contract with Lotte for a total of 5.6 billion won.
Hanwha could use some offensive and defensive reinforcements, as he has a decent offense, hitting .292 with eight home runs and 63 RBIs in 121 games this season, and his defense at second base is also above average.
“The addition of Ahn Chi-hong not only strengthens our batting lineup, but also gives us an excellent resource to play second base and first base on defense,” Hanwha said.
After signing, Ahn said, “I’m grateful to the Hanwha Eagles for thinking highly of me and offering me a good deal. As a team with many young players, I will be an exemplary player in all aspects and contribute to the team’s leap forward.” “I would like to thank Lotte and the fans for their support and love until the end. I will now endeavor to live up to the expectations of the Hanwha Eagles and Hanwha fans.” 보스토토 주소
The news of Ahn’s signing brought a smile to Moon’s face. “I heard about Hanwha,” he told reporters upon his return, “I looked up his stats and he went 3-for-3 in four at-bats. It was hard for me to meet you because you hurt my ball, so I’m grateful to you.”
Ahn’s 3-for-3 with a home run and a walk in four at-bats isn’t the only record against Moon this year. Last year, Ahn went 1-for-2. His career strikeout rate is 8 percent. Moon said, “I’m very happy that Ahn Chi-hong is here. I will pitch hard,” Moon said.