After winning the top rookie prize in 2023, Hanwha Eagles starter Moon Dong-ju hasn’t been able to match that level of success this year yet.
The 20-year-old right-hander went 8-8 with a 3.72 ERA en route to capturing the 2023 Rookie of the Year award in the Korea Baseball Organization. So far this year, though, Moon is only 3-6 with a 6.92 ERA in 13 starts. He has had two stints in the minor league, too.
But that doesn’t mean Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon has lost faith in the pitcher, though Kim said Thursday he’d like to see Moon compete harder on the mound.
Moon was demoted to the minors for the second time season after allowing seven runs on eight hits in four innings against the Doosan Bears on June 26. He finished June with a 0-4 record and a 6.91 ERA.
“He’s still a very young pitcher, and we shouldn’t expect him to win every start. That’d put too much pressure on him,” Kim told reporters before facing the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul. “But with his teammates and fans all supporting him, he has to do a better job of putting the team in a position to win, or at least battle. It’s something he has to learn moving forward.”
Kim said he sent Moon to the minor league because he felt the pitcher could use some time to clear his head and regroup before the second half of the season.
Moon has since rejoined the Eagles and Kim said Moon will start Friday’s game.
“The one thing about this kid is he is very positive,” Kim said. “He always has a smile on his face. And I think he’s ready to really show what he has tomorrow.”
Moon will start at home against the LG Twins. On May 21, Moon held the Twins to just one hit over five scoreless innings for his second 한국을 victory of 2024.
Kim would particularly love it if Moon can follow the lead of the Eagles’ top starters.
Ryan Weiss opened the second half on Tuesday with seven innings of two-run ball against the Heroes, though the Eagles lost the game 5-3. Jaime Barria followed that with 6 2/3 shutout innings Wednesday.
Ryu Hyun-jin, the former major league All-Star who has righted the ship after a rough opening to the year, is slated to start Thursday’s game. He has a 2.50 ERA in nine starts since the start of May.
“As manager, I am grateful if my starting pitchers can cover just six innings,” Kim said. “It makes life so much easier for the bullpen.”