‘Aiming to return in June next year’ Hyeongjun Sohn: “Korean series? I’m throwing 5m next week.
KT Wiz's 'future ace' So Hyun-jun (22), who was on the operating table for the first time in three years since becoming a professional, made an appearance for the first time in a long time. While he was struggling with rehabilitation, he silently cheered for his team.
On the 5th, Hyun Soo-Jun met with reporters at Suwon KT Wiz Park, where the 5th game (best of 5 games) of the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO Playoffs between KT Wiz and NC Dinos was held at Suwon KT Wiz Park and said, "I really want to throw, and I miss the heat I feel at the baseball stadium. "he said.
Currently, So So-Jun is undergoing rehabilitation. Last May, he was diagnosed with a ruptured medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his right elbow and is currently recovering after being placed on the operating table. He explained his current progress, saying, "I've finished shadowing now. I'll start throwing the ball next week." He also revealed his future plans, saying, “I think I will throw 25 meters in Korea in November and December and then go to a rehabilitation camp.” Hyeong-Jun So said, "I'm aiming to return in June (next year) at the earliest, or July at the latest. I'm now at the stage of throwing the ball, so I'll throw it and check."
So Hyun-jun was selected for the 2023 WBC. /Photo = News 1
Since So Hyun-Jun had been steadily cruising since his professional debut, this surgery is bound to be disappointing. So Hyun-jun joined KT as a first-round pick in 2020. And he stood out as soon as he debuted on the professional stage. He pitched in 26 games in the 2020 season, recording 13 wins, 6 losses, and an ERA of 3.86. He confidently won Rookie of the Year. After recording 7 wins, 7 losses, and an average ERA of 4.16 in 24 games in the 2021 season, he had a career high season with 13 wins, 6 losses, and an average ERA of 3.05 in 27 games in the 2022 season. Last season, he pitched a career-high 171⅓ innings. Amid these performances, he was also selected to the national team for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) held in March this year.
In the end, based on this great performance, he had the honor of being selected as a member of the WBC national team. However, this season, So Hyun-jun showed difficulties from the beginning of the season. On April 2, he started against LG and collapsed with 10 hits, 1 walk, 1 ball hit to the body, 1 strikeout, and 9 runs (9 earned) in 2⅓ innings. His injuries were holding him back. He was placed on the injured list two days later with a diagnosis of a right forearm strain. Afterwards, he returned to the first team in the match against SSG on May 3 and showed a good performance with 5 hits (1 home run), 1 walk, 1 strikeout, and 1 run in 5 innings. However, he started against Suwon NC on May 10th, but showed poor performance, allowing 7 hits, 1 walk, 2 balls hit by balls to the body, 2 strikeouts, and 4 runs (4 earned) in 3⅔ innings. At the time, he threw the first pitch against NC batter Park Geon-woo during the 4th inning, but complained of elbow pain. In the end, he came off the mound without being able to throw the ball anymore.
So Hyeong-jun still showed a resolute appearance. He said, "I started playing baseball in elementary school and haven't had this much time off. I think it's a good time to prepare." He said, “I thought a lot of positive thoughts and spent the time reading books, thinking that I should make the most of this time.”
Although there is no Hyun Joon, KT recorded 79 wins, 62 losses, and 3 draws (0.560 winning percentage) in the regular season this year, finishing in 2nd place, 6.5 games behind 1st place LG Twins and 3 games behind 3rd place SSG Landers. They showed a bit of a slump at the beginning of the season and were at the bottom until June, but they bounced back and quickly entered the top rankings. He laughed and said, “When the season started, I felt sorry for the starters,” and “They are doing so well. Even without me, they are doing well.”
Although the first and second playoff games were held in Suwon, So Hyun-jun, who is currently rehabilitating at home, said he did not watch the game in person. “I watch it at home with the TV on,” he said with a smile, adding, “It’s more comfortable to watch at home.” Hyung-Jun So said, “I really want to throw, and I miss the heat I feel at the baseball stadium,” but when asked, “Shouldn’t I throw in the Korean Series?” he responded by saying, “I’m throwing 5 meters next week, so I might be able to throw the first pitch.” He said, "I think I'm going to the Korean Series, but it's important to cheer for Game 5 today (the 5th)."
Lastly, Hyeong-Jun So said, "There are not many opportunities to modify the mechanism to improve pitching in the future. I think it is time to revise this and throw a better ball, a more powerful ball, and think again mentally."
Meanwhile, at Suwon KT Wiz Park, where the game was held on this day, in addition to Hyun Joon, five rookies (Won Sang-hyun, Yuk Cheong-myeong, Kim Min-seong, Park Tae-wan, and Lee Seung-eon) who will join KT in 2024 visited and cheered for the team. According to the KT team, today was a training break for the Iksan finishing camp, and they visited in person to support their seniors in advancing to the Korean Series.
Won Sang-hyun, a first-round pick, said, "After being nominated and cheering for KT, I feel a greater sense of belonging. I will do my best to support KT and hope to stand on this stage someday," and second-rounder Yuk Cheong-myeong said, "I hope they win big. I witnessed a tie situation. “I did it and it was very exciting. I want to go see Jamsil too,” he said. Third-rounder Kim Min-seong said, "The team atmosphere is good and it's even more exciting to cheer directly with the fans. I hope we can continue to go to a higher place in this current atmosphere," and seventh-round pick Park Tae-wan said, "Thank you for showing us a good game. Yushingo." “I feel special because I’m from Korea, so I hope you do your best until the end,” said 11th rounder Seung-eon Lee, cheering, “I hope we can keep up the momentum and win the Korean Series. Fighting, KT!”
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