SSG Landers Releases Ha Jae-hoon, Player with Unique Pitcher-Hitter Record

The SSG Landers baseball team has parted ways with Ha Jae-hoon, a player known for his unusual dual career as both a pitcher and a hitter. The team announced the decision on Tuesday, stating it was part of a broader effort to reorganize the squad.

Ha Jae-hoon, 36, boasts a distinctive record in the KBO League, having accumulated 40 saves as a pitcher and 26 home runs as a hitter. His journey in professional baseball began after graduating from Yongma High School in 2009, when he signed with the Chicago Cubs and pursued a career in the U.S. minor leagues. After failing to reach the majors, he played in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball with the Yakult Swallows and for an independent league team before being drafted by the SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) in 2017.

He found significant success as a pitcher in the KBO League, transitioning to the role and achieving a 1.98 ERA with 36 saves in 2019, earning him the league's saves title. However, a shoulder injury the following year led him back to hitting. In 2024, he had established himself as a regular outfielder, making his release a notable move for the team.