Yeo Dong-gun (19, Doosan Bears) said, "I'm not physically outstanding, so I have to improve my skills with effort."

He also brought up the word "deficiency," which is rarely used by players who started their professional careers in 2024.메이저놀이터

"I've always wanted to fill my physical deficiencies," said Yeo Dong-gun, who met Doosan at Bears Park in Icheon on the 12th, when the team had its final camp. "I'm trying to do well in both ball, water and state because of my lack of ability," he said. "There are a lot of things I lack, and I don't have time to be lazy to fill it. It's a promise I made that I won't be lazy."

Armed with sincerity, Yeo Dong-gun is expected to bring a new wind to Doosan's infield, which is inevitable to change due to the transfer of Huh Kyung-min (kt wiz)

Yeo Dong-gun is 175cm tall, which is short among baseball players.

He has yet to have a long hit enough to have only one home run in 47 Futures (2nd division) league games in 2024.

However, since her high school days, Yeo Dong-gun has been called a player who is good at 'public, manual, and state'.

He worked countless times to improve his contact skills by turning the bat, and also worked hard on defensive training.

As his constant efforts met "fast feet," he joined Doosan as the 12th overall pick in the second round in the 2024 rookie draft.

Yeo Dong-gun, who played a batting average of 0.279 (34 hits in 122 times at bat), 12 steals, an on-base percentage of 0.345, and a slugging percentage of 0.377 in the Futures League, succeeded in entering the first team on September 1.

Yeo Dong-gun, who played as a pinch runner in the first team, first started as the eighth batter and second baseman against Jamsil SSG Landers on September 23 and had one hit in two at-bats.

On September 28, the last game of the team's regular season, he made his first multi-hit (more than two hits in a game) with two hits in five at-bats against the Changwon NC Dinos.

There are many pleasant memories, but the scene that Yeo Dong-gun recalls most often is the last at-bat in the first round of the wild card decision against KT (Jamsil on October 2nd).

Yeo Dong-gun, who appeared as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and runners on the second and third bases when Doosan was trailing 0-4, struck out three pitches by KT closer Park Young-hyun.

"The last pitcher I faced in the KBO League this year was Park Young-hyun," Yeo Dong-gun recalled. "I didn't see the speed when I was struck out (147 kilometers per hour) for the first time, but I've never seen a ball move like that."

We cannot reverse the strikeouts we had that day, but we can meet again with Park Young-hyun.

"After that day, I keep thinking about 'how to respond to such balls,'" Yeo said. "Even if I strike out nine times, if my batting skills get better, wouldn't I be able to make a good hit in the 10th? If I meet Park Young-hyun again next time, I want to deal with him better than then."

I've already enjoyed the effect of my worries.

Yeo Dong-gun laughed, saying, "After watching Park Young-hyun's ball, I played in the Phoenix Education League in Japan, and the ball of Japanese pitchers was worth it."

Yeo Dong-gun's role model is Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers).

Betts is leading the U.S. Major League Baseball even with his short height (175 cm).

He is devoted to the team and receives absolute support from his fans.

"I like Betts' aura, eyes and attitude toward baseball," Yeo said. "There are geeks and doins in the Major League, and Betts is the latter. I want to be a player like Betts."

Yeo Dong-gun is from Durin (a Doosan children's fan).

At Dustin Nippert's retirement ceremony held on September 14 this year, his "fanship" soared and he shed tears.

"Even the seniors who played with Nippert don't cry, but I was embarrassed because I cried," Yeo Dong-gun said. "I cried without realizing it because I remembered cheering on TV when I was young."

Yeo Dong-gun, who succeeded in joining Doosan, his first goal, also achieved his first professional season goal of the first team.

"Those who are prepared will have an opportunity. Next year, I want to establish myself as a backup player who will be helpful to my team even if I am not a starting player," Yeo said.

It was a goal that contained the will to strengthen the inner room.

Yeo Dong-gun is not in a hurry, but opportunities can come sooner than expected.

Huh Kyung-min, who was Doosan's main third baseman, signed a four-year contract with kt for up to 4 billion won, and competition for the mainstay will take place in two areas: shortstop, third baseman and Doosan infield in 2025.

Yeo Dong-gun is mentioned as a "main candidate" for both shortstop and third baseman positions.

If Kang Seung-ho, the main second baseman, moves to third base, Yeo Dong-gun may focus on the competition for a familiar shortstop or second baseman.

"Ultimately, my goal is to play as a main player, but to be competitive first," Yeo Dong-gun said. "I will focus on improving my skills in the closing camp, off-season and spring camp."