NC Dinos is a team that has both players who need to win now and players who need to be nurtured. In the bizarre composition of the team, there are bound to be players who belong to the intersection. Key shortstop Kim Joo-won (21) is a typical example.
NCs going through this process have no choice but to faithfully pay their taxes. Mistakes and the process of trial and error that come out over and over again are inevitable. The shorter the taxation period is, the better it is for the club and the players. However, considering that the time and experience of taxation are proportional, patience is inevitable. Kim Joo-won is having a taxing time.
Kim Joo-won, who was nominated in the second round of the 2021 rookie draft, was suddenly called up to the first team in the second half of the year. As the Corona 19 quarantine rules rippled over the players, thanks to that, I was in charge of a spot in the first team. It was a time of reflection for the club, but it was a welcome time for Kim Joo-won’s growth. In a situation where there was no burden, Kim Joo-won grew by accumulating experience points, and in his third year at the club, he was given the position of starting shortstop. The reason why he was not active with Noh Jin-hyeok (Lotte) in the free agent (FA) market last year is because of Kim Joo-won’s existence.
Last year, Kim Joo-won recorded a batting average of .223 (61 hits in 273 bats), 10 homers, 47 RBIs and an OPS of .723 in 96 games. There are only four shortstops who recorded double-digit home runs in a season at the age of 20: Jang Jong-hoon (1988, 12), Oh Ji-hwan (2010, 13), Kim Ha-seong (2015, 19), and Kim Joo-won.
먹튀검증 He took the first step in the lineage of switch hitters and shortstops. This year, he is stepping up as a full-time starting shortstop. At bat, he has now become one of the batters to be wary of in NC. A batting average of .266 (25 hits in 94 at-bats), 3 home runs, 13 RBIs, 4 stolen bases, and an OPS of .741.
However, it is the defense and strikeout numbers that hold Kim Joo-won’s unstoppable growth. Currently, Kim Joo-won is committing 8 errors in 230 innings as a shortstop. He has the most errors in the league and relatively many. He also has 34 strikeouts along with Oh Jae-il (Samsung), ranking first in strikeouts.
He is not the type to pursue the target. The swing starts the moment the pitcher releases the ball, and the swing follows the trajectory of the ball. If hit, a big ball comes out, but this is the reason why there are many misses and strikeouts.
Nevertheless, manager Kang In-kwon said of Kim Joo-won, “He continues to grow and seems to have little anxiety on the throwing side. Also, the pitcher’s ability to cope with it has improved. He also praised the way he made contact while moving his knee while aiming for a fastball and when a breaking ball came, he looked better than last year.”
Kim Joo-won himself said, “I want to be more helpful in defense as a shortstop, but it didn’t go well. I don’t like being struck out, but I think it will come naturally as I gain experience. I’m focusing on the current situation.”
The pros and cons are definite. But he is young and has a promising future. That’s why it is likely to board the Hangzhou Asian Games, where opportunities are given to players under the age of 25 and under the 4th year of debut in the KBO League. Among shortstop resources, there is no player who can surpass Kim Joo-won at the same age. Even inside the club, we are looking forward to Kim Joo-won’s entry into the Asian Games.
Kim Joo-won made up his mind on this. He said, “I didn’t expect to become the team’s main shortstop so quickly.” I think I should be able to wear it without being ashamed.” The Taegeuk mark is also a source of pride for oneself. That is why he is determined to become a player worthy of an honor that is not easily obtained.
If Kim Joo-won gets on the Asian Games team and even gets a gold medal on his neck, it will be worth the tax he has paid so far from the NC point of view. He is a player with a clear growth trend, so if his shortcomings fade, there is no need to worry about becoming the starting shortstop in the future. That means he will receive a huge refund.
In addition, NC signed a free agent contract with second baseman Park Min-woo ahead of this season for up to 14 billion won for 5+3 years. If Kim Joo-won also receives military service benefits, NC can come up with a happy imagination of tying all of the keystone duo into long-term contracts.