Rookie Park Jun-hyun Dreams of Facing An Woo-jin in MLB Debut Season
Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Kiwoom Heroes rookie Park Jun-hyun dreams of facing ace An Woo-jin in Major League Baseball.
- Park, a first-round draft pick, pitched one scoreless inning in the KBO All-Star Game, showcasing his 155 km/h fastball.
- The young player expressed his ambition to compete against top talents in the U.S.
Kiwoom Heroes rookie Park Jun-hyun harbors a significant ambition: to face off against his team's ace, An Woo-jin, on the Major League Baseball stage. The 19-year-old, a highly touted first-round draft pick, recently participated in the '2026 Shinhan SOL KBO All-Star Game' as part of the Na-neun All-Stars. During his appearance, Park delivered a scoreless inning, allowing two hits and one walk while striking out one batter. He impressed with his powerful fastball, which reached speeds of up to 155 km/h, demonstrating the talent that has generated considerable excitement around his debut season.
Park's aspirations extend beyond domestic success. He specifically voiced his desire to compete against An Woo-jin in the U.S., highlighting a drive to test his skills against the best in the world. This ambition reflects a confidence and forward-thinking mindset characteristic of top prospects aiming for international careers. The young player's performance in the All-Star Game, marked by his strong pitching, suggests he is on a path to potentially achieve such lofty goals.
I want to face off against An Woo-jin hyung in America.
Originally published by Chosun Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.