Daejeon: Hanwha Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon has announced that Moon Dong-ju, the team’s flamethrowing starter, will be available out of the bullpen for the second consecutive game. Moon made a significant impact in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) postseason by delivering two dominant innings and striking out four batters, leading to a 9-8 victory over the Samsung Lions in Game 1 of the second round.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Moon achieved a remarkable 161.6 kilometers per hour with his four-seam fastball, marking the hardest pitch thrown by any player in the KBO this year. Although Moon has been a full-time starter for the past two years and was originally expected to start Game 4, manager Kim now plans to utilize the 21-year-old as a swingman, potentially serving as a pivotal asset in the middle innings.

Manager Kim stated, “If Moon Dong-ju is feeling OK physically, he can come in relief during Game 2, depending on the situation.” This strategic adjustment comes as the team anticipates how Game 2 will unfold, with Game 4 scheduled for Wednesday.

There is also consideration for Moon to step in as the Eagles’ closer, given recent challenges faced by the current closer, Kim Seo-hyeon. Kim Seo-hyeon has experienced difficulties in closing games, nearly losing control in the ninth inning of Saturday’s game, prompting new pitcher Kim Beom-su to secure the win.

Manager Kim emphasized the importance of remaining focused for the remaining postseason games, revealing that the pitching coach had extensive discussions with Moon before the game. Meanwhile, Lions manager Park Jin-man expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance and decided to maintain the same batting order for Sunday, despite the challenges faced by the young relievers Lee Ho-sung and Bae Chan-seung in critical situations during Saturday’s game.