[Asian Games] '6 Innings Scoreless' Moon Dong-ju Solidifies Position as Next-Generation National Team Ace

The ace of the Korean national baseball team, Moon Dong-ju, had no room for failure twice.

On the 7th, at the Baseball and Softball Sports Center Field 1 in Shaoxing City, Zhejiang Province, China, during the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games baseball final against Taiwan, Moon Dong-ju solidified his status as the next-generation ace of the national team. Moon started as the pitcher and delivered a strong performance, pitching 6 innings with 3 hits allowed, no walks, 7 strikeouts, and no runs. The baseball team, building on Moon's excellent pitching, led 2-0 through the 8th inning, increasing the possibility of winning their fourth consecutive Asian Games title.

Moon had shown a somewhat disappointing performance in his debut game for the senior national team during the second group stage match against Taiwan on the 2nd. He started as the pitcher and allowed 3 hits, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts, and 2 runs (2 earned) over 4 innings, resulting in a loss. However, in the rematch against Taiwan just five days later, he avenged that defeat with nearly perfect pitching. Using a fastball approaching 160 km/h, he neutralized the Taiwanese batting lineup.

In the bottom of the 1st inning, Moon threw a 155 km/h fastball to Taiwan's leadoff hitter Zheng Zhongzhe, who hit a long ball over the center fielder's reach. However, facing a 1 out, runner on third base situation, Moon relied on his powerful fastball to induce a ground ball to shortstop from the 3rd batter Lin Li and a swinging strikeout from the 4th batter Lin Anke, preventing any runs.

Moon Dong-ju of the Korean national baseball team is roaring after escaping a 1 out, 2 runners on base crisis in the bottom of the 6th inning with consecutive strikeouts during the final against Taiwan at the No. 1 field of the Shaoxing Baseball and Softball Sports Center near Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, on the 7th of the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Photo by Yonhap News

After that, Moon faced no significant threats until the 5th inning. He retired the side in order in the 2nd, 4th, and 5th innings, and in the 3rd inning, he allowed only a single after two outs.

In the 6th inning, after one out, Moon allowed a double to his nemesis Zheng Zhongzhe, who hit the right field fence. However, he struck out the 2nd batter Lin Ziwei and the 3rd batter Lin Li consecutively and roared in triumph.

Moon was selected first overall by the Hanwha Eagles in last year's rookie draft and joined the team. Last year, he pitched in 13 games, throwing 28 and one-third innings, recording a 1-3 win-loss record, 2 holds, and an earned run average (ERA) of 5.65. This year, he has grown significantly. In 23 games, he pitched 118 and two-thirds innings, recording an 8-8 win-loss record and an ERA of 3.72, showing his potential as an ace. On April 12th, in a game against the KIA Tigers, he excited the Korean baseball world by becoming the first native Korean pitcher to throw a 160 km/h fastball.

National team manager Ryu Joong-il selected Moon and entrusted him with the heavy responsibility of being the team's ace. Moon was deployed in the crucial group stage game against Taiwan. Although his performance was somewhat disappointing, Manager Ryu showed trust by putting Moon back on the mound in the most important final game. Moon repaid that trust with 6 scoreless innings.

Born in 2003, Moon Dong-ju is only twenty years old this year. After Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Kwang-hyun, and Yang Hyeon-jong, the national team, which had been struggling without a proper ace, now has a young ace who can be responsible for the next ten years or more.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.