"I'm always eager because it was hard to get in."

The Kiwoom Heroes, led by head coach Hong Won-ki, selected a total of 14 rookies in the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft, adding three new players to their existing roster of 11 by acquiring picks in trades with the KIA Tigers, Samsung Lions, and LG Twins.

But Kiwoom didn't stop there. It also added a player to its roster. Won Sung-jun, 23, is an infielder familiar to baseball fans from his appearances on the JTBC entertainment program "Strongest Baseball.

Won is a former student of Lee Soo-jung, Kyunggi University, and Sungkyunkwan University. Won applied for the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft, but was rejected by a team. He was given the opportunity to try out for Kiwoom, and he took advantage of it and realized his dream of becoming a professional. Of course, he's still a developmental player. He still needs to get his stamp of approval to make the transition. Still, Won is happy and thrilled to be in a professional team.

"Every day is exciting and fun now that I'm in the pro ranks," he said on the 6th at the Kiwoom's final camp at Taejang Baseball Stadium in Wonju, Gangwon-do. I'm just happy right now," he laughed. 토토사이트

When he fell in the draft, he never imagined that he would be training with professional players here. Unlike Hwang Young-mook (Hanwha Eagles) and Jeong Hyun-soo (Lotte Giants), who were drafted by professional teams, Won's eyes filled with tears. But Kiwoom's offer of a tryout brought him back to his feet.

"It was really hard after I was drafted, but then Kiwoom offered me a tryout, and I was lucky enough to pass," he said. "Going pro was my first goal, so I'm still training with a lot of enthusiasm," he added.

'Strongest Baseball' features many legends who have shaped the KBO league. He worked with Lee Dae-ho, Park Yong-taek, Jung Geun-woo, and Jung Sung-hoon, and was coached by coach Kim Sung-geun, "Yashin".

He said, "I learned a lot from playing with my seniors on 'Strongest Baseball'. After joining Kiwoom, each of the seniors gave me feedback and told me how to survive in the pros. They told me that it's important to be confident and not to look away when you enter, and that my personality is important. I'm trying to change it little by little," he laughed. Won Sung-joon is usually quiet, but when he enters the field, his eyes change and he becomes more competitive.

Although he is young, there are seniors who came before him in the pros. Even though he is a college graduate, Won approaches them and asks them questions and learns a lot from them. It's not about age, it's about seniority.

"I think there are things I can learn from my younger friends," says Won. In fact, they know more than I do. It's the same whether you're learning from your older brothers or your younger brothers or playing baseball."

His role model is Kim Hye-sung, Kiwoom's starting second baseman.

"I want to emulate Kim Hye-sung, who is perfect in every aspect of the game," Won said, "I want to show my eagerness because it's hard to get in. Honestly, I'm getting attention for appearing on 'Strongest Baseball,' and I have to work hard to live up to the expectations. I feel motivated to work hard rather than feel pressure. I'm learning a lot under the coaches, and I'll show them that I live up to their expectations. I will do my best to make it to the first team next season."