1. Personal Life
Jeong Cheol-won's personal life includes his birth details and educational background, which laid the foundation for his athletic career.
1.1. Birth and Early Life
Jeong Cheol-won was born on March 27, 1999. His formative years were spent in South Korea, where he developed his passion and skills for baseball from a young age.
1.2. Education
Jeong Cheol-won attended several educational institutions during his upbringing. He completed his elementary education at Yeokbuk Elementary School, followed by Songjeon Middle School. For his high school education, he attended Ansan Technical High School, where he continued to hone his baseball abilities.
2. Professional Career
Jeong Cheol-won's professional career in the KBO League began in 2018, primarily with the Doosan Bears, before a significant trade later in his career. His journey has been marked by a rapid ascent, notable achievements, and international representation.
2.1. KBO League Debut
Jeong Cheol-won officially joined the KBO League in 2018. His professional debut came on May 6, 2022, in a relief appearance against the KT Wiz. In this game, he pitched for 2 innings, allowing 1 hit and 1 earned run, while recording 2 strikeouts. During this debut, his fastball reached a top speed of 94 mph (152 km/h). The very next day, on May 7, 2022, Jeong Cheol-won secured his first career win.
2.2. Doosan Bears Career
Jeong Cheol-won spent the initial part of his professional career with the Doosan Bears, showcasing significant development and becoming a key player for the team.
2.2.1. 2022 Season
The 2022 season marked Jeong Cheol-won's official debut in the KBO League and was a breakout year for him. Following his debut on May 6 and first win on May 7, he continued to impress throughout the season. His strong performance culminated in him winning the KBO League Rookie of the Year Award, a significant achievement for a player in their first full professional season.
2.2.2. 2023 Season
In the 2023 season, Jeong Cheol-won continued to be a notable presence for the Doosan Bears. He maintained a strong performance, building on the success of his rookie year.
2.2.3. 2024 Season
Jeong Cheol-won's 2024 season saw him continue his contributions to the Doosan Bears.
2.3. Trade to Lotte Giants
On November 21, Jeong Cheol-won was involved in a trade between the Doosan Bears and the Lotte Giants, resulting in his transfer to the Lotte Giants. This marked a new chapter in his professional career, moving from his initial team to a new organization within the KBO League.
2.4. National Team Career
Jeong Cheol-won has represented South Korea in international baseball competitions, demonstrating his standing as one of the country's top players.
2.4.1. 2023 World Baseball Classic
Jeong Cheol-won was selected to represent South Korea in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. He was assigned jersey number 65 as a pitcher for the national team. Other notable players on the roster included Ko Young-pyo, Kim Hye-seong, Kim Ha-seong, Tommy Edman, Hyun-soo Kim, Yang Eui-ji, Kwang-hyun Kim, Lee Jung-hoo, and Kang Baek-ho. The team was managed by Lee Kang-chul.
3. Statistics
This section provides a comprehensive overview of Jeong Cheol-won's performance data throughout his professional career in the KBO League.
3.1. Career Statistics
The following table summarizes Jeong Cheol-won's KBO League career statistics as a pitcher:
| Year | Team | ERA | Games | Complete Games | Shutouts | Wins | Losses | Saves | Holds | Win % | Batters Faced | Innings Pitched | Hits Allowed | Home Runs Allowed | Walks | Hit By Pitch | Strikeouts | Runs Allowed | Earned Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Doosan | 3.10 | 58 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 23 | 0.571 | 294 | 72⅔ | 60 | 4 | 26 | 2 | 47 | 26 | 25 |
| 2023 | 3.96 | 67 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 13 | 11 | 0.538 | 315 | 72⅔ | 66 | 8 | 32 | 2 | 55 | 36 | 32 | |
| 2024 | 6.40 | 36 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0.667 | 165 | 32⅓ | 39 | 5 | 26 | 5 | 39 | 24 | 23 | |
| Total | 3 seasons | 4.05 | 161 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 10 | 22 | 35 | 0.565 | 774 | 145⅓ | 165 | 17 | 84 | 9 | 141 | 86 | 80 |
4. Awards and Honors
Jeong Cheol-won has received significant recognition for his achievements in the KBO League.
4.1. KBO League Rookie of the Year Award
In 2022, Jeong Cheol-won was honored with the KBO League Rookie of the Year Award. This award is given annually to the most outstanding rookie player in the KBO League. His victory marked a significant milestone in his early career, highlighting his immediate impact and potential in the league. He was the recipient of this award following Lee Eui-lee (2021) and preceding Moon Dong-ju (2023).
5. Evaluation
Jeong Cheol-won's emergence as a professional baseball player has been met with positive reception within the KBO League community. His rapid rise, marked by winning the Rookie of the Year Award in his debut season, demonstrated his immediate impact and potential. His ability to consistently perform as a reliever, coupled with his high-velocity fastball, has established him as a valuable asset. His selection to the national team further solidified his reputation as one of South Korea's promising baseball talents.