Sangmu’s Cho Seo-jin, who was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the Futures All-Star Game, cited Lotte’s Jeon Jun-woo as his role model and vowed to succeed.
The South All-Star went 1-for-3 with one double, one home run, three RBIs, one walk, and two runs scored in the 2024 KBO Futures All-Star Game at SSG Landers Field in Incheon, South Korea, on May 5 and was named MVP. The South All-Stars won 9-5 behind Cho’s performance.
Selected with the fourth pick in the second round of the 2022 KBO First-Year Player Draft, Cho was referred to as the “second Son Asup” when he joined the organization. He stood out for the precision of his hitting.
But the barriers to professionalism were high. In 39 games with the first team in his rookie year, Cho was a disappointment, batting .186 with six RBIs. Eventually, he realized his lack of skill and opted to pursue a commercial career, which he is currently working on in the Futures League.
Cho made his presence felt in the bottom of the third inning with runners on first and second with his team leading 2-1. He launched a three-run home run off SSG pitcher Choi Hyun-seok.
After his impressive performance, Cho was named MVP of the Futures All-Star Game, saying, “The All-Star Game is a festival. I’m honored to be able to leave a performance worthy of the festival,” he said.
He also cited Lotte’s Daesebae Jeon Jun-woo as his role model. “One of my goals is to follow in the footsteps of good seniors,” Cho said, adding, “I believe I will 먹튀검증업체 순위 become a good player if I follow them one by one. I’m doing my best,” he said.
Jun-woo Jeon followed a similar path.
The college graduate first donned a Lotte uniform in 2008, and his confidence was boosted when he was named MVP of the Futures All-Star Game that year.
He gradually improved his game, and in 2010, he hit 19 home runs to become a mainstay in the Lotte lineup. Now 38 years old and continuing to perform consistently this season, Jeon is a self-proclaimed Lotte legend.
“I joined the team with the idea of improving my overall stats at the plate. I’m taking each day seriously, adjusting my timing and other things one by one,” he said.
“I want to go out (to the first team) as soon as possible and fulfill the expectations of the fans, but I know too well that I am not good enough right now,” he said. “I will devote myself to myself for the next four months and become a mature and great player.”