Hanwha's "Monster Pitcher" Ryu Hyun-jin (38) started preparation for the new season by setting up a mini-camp in Onikawa, Japan, with seven juniors including Hwang Joon-seo (20). Ryu decided to provide some of the expenses for his players' stay while lavishly providing them with food. On Thursday, 99 Corporation, which is in charge of Ryu's management, posted a video on Instagram of those who finished their training eating at an iron plate restaurant. The video was titled "Hwang Joon-seo's fattening project."

Hwang is a left-handed pitcher who wore the Hanwha uniform as the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 rookie draft. When Hwang gave up just one run during five innings at a home game in Daejeon on March 31 last year, he became the starting pitcher for the first time in 18 years since Ryu Hyun-jin in 2006. However, the day after his first win, Hwang was nicknamed the "second Kim Kwang-hyun," not the "second Ryu Hyun-jin." Hwang's physique (187 centimeters, 78 kilograms) was more similar to that of Kim Kwang-hyun (188 kilograms), who is a bit thinner than Ryu (190 centimeters, 113 kilograms).메이저놀이터

His relatively thin physique has led to physical stamina problems. His average fastball speed reached 141 kilometers per hour through April, but the speed has dropped to 138 kilometers since May. About 10 percent of his fastball speed was 145 kilometers per hour or higher until April, but it has fallen to the 1 percent level since May. Then, his earned run average (ERA) soared from 3.72 to 5.98. His batting average rose from 0.237 until the third inning to 0.328 afterwards. Hwang finished the season with two wins, eight losses and one hold with an ERA of 5.38.

Ryu Hyun-jin was the one who watched Hwang Joon-seo most pitifully. "Some players gain weight during the season, but others lose a lot of weight. You need to eat well and gain some weight to gain strength and speed," Ryu said. From the first day of the Okinawa mini camp, he even brought shrimp to Hwang, feeding them and feeding them. Ryu, who advised Hwang to eat more often, also gained weight from 98 kilograms when he debuted as a pro.