Oh Ji-hwan

1.1. Birth and Family

Oh Ji-hwan was born on March 12, 1990, in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, South Korea. He has a cousin, Oh Jung-hwan, who is also an infielder in the KBO League, playing for the KIA Tigers.

1.2. Education

Oh Ji-hwan attended Gunsan Elementary School, followed by Jayang Middle School. For his high school education, he went to Kyunggi High School in Seoul. He later pursued higher education at Kyung Hee University.

2.1. High School Years

While attending Kyunggi High School, Oh Ji-hwan was recognized as one of the top shortstop prospects in the Korean high school baseball league, alongside other notable players like An Chi-hong. During his second year of high school, he primarily batted right-handed, but in his third year, he transitioned to become a switch-hitter, demonstrating his adaptability and commitment to improving his offensive skills. He notably performed as a two-way player, excelling as both a pitcher and a hitter, often occupying the No. 1 spot in his team's starting rotation. His strong performance earned him the first-round draft pick by the LG Twins.

2.2. World Junior Baseball Championship

In 2008, Oh Ji-hwan was selected to represent the South Korea national junior baseball team at the 2008 World Junior Baseball Championship held in Edmonton, where the team clinched its fifth tournament title by winning the gold medal. He played a crucial role as the team's cleanup hitter and captain. Oh Ji-hwan appeared in all eight games for the team, showcasing his versatility as an infielder, designated hitter, and even a relief pitcher. His exceptional performance earned him a spot on the All-Star tournament team as a designated hitter. Throughout the tournament, he recorded a .393 batting average (11-for-28), 9 RBI, 8 R, 5 SB, and 5 BB. As a pitcher, he had a 1-0 record with a 6.75 ERA over 2.2 innings in one game, striking out two batters.

3.1. KBO Debut and Early Seasons (2009-2011)

Oh Ji-hwan was drafted by the LG Twins in the first round of the 2009 KBO Draft, marking his official entry into professional baseball. He made his professional debut on September 12, 2009, as a pinch hitter against SK Wyverns, striking out against pitcher Gary Glover. In his inaugural season, he played in only five games, registering one hit and five strikeouts in nine at-bats, spending most of his time in the minor league.

The 2010 season saw Oh Ji-hwan begin to make his mark. He was named the starting shortstop for the LG Twins on Opening Day, March 27, 2010, against the Samsung Lions. In his very first at-bat, he hit his first professional home run off Yoon Sung-hwan, a three-run shot. He finished that game 2-for-4 with three RBIs, contributing to a 7-5 victory. Manager Park Jong-hoon recognized his potential and continued to give him opportunities, despite his tendency to strike out. Oh Ji-hwan led the league in strikeouts with 137 in 2010, but he also drove in 61 runs, setting a new team record for most RBIs by a shortstop in a single season. He hit 13 home runs, the most among starting shortstops in the league that year. However, in 2011, his performance significantly declined due to injury, resulting in fewer games and lower statistics compared to the previous year.

3.2. Establishing Himself (2012-2017)

Following a challenging 2011 season, Oh Ji-hwan faced a significant salary reduction in 2012, with his annual salary falling to less than half of the previous year's. Despite this, he managed to make a strong comeback, playing in all 133 regular season games and re-establishing himself as the regular shortstop for the LG Twins. He maintained a consistent presence at shortstop in subsequent seasons, showcasing his defensive prowess and contributing offensively. In 2016, he achieved a notable milestone by becoming the first shortstop whose home stadium was Jamsil Baseball Stadium to hit 20 home runs in a single season.

In 2017, Oh Ji-hwan applied to join the Police Baseball Team for his mandatory military service exemption, but he was controversially rejected due to a tattoo. This resulted in a delay in his military enlistment.

3.3. Major Achievements and Leadership (2018-Present)

The 2018 season brought a significant turning point for Oh Ji-hwan. He was selected to the South Korea national baseball team for the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. The team secured the gold medal, granting him exemption from mandatory military service.

After the 2019 season, Oh Ji-hwan became a free agent for the first time. The LG Twins re-signed him to a four-year contract worth a total of 4.00 B KRW, securing his commitment to the team. In 2022, he further solidified his status as a power-hitting shortstop by becoming the first shortstop whose home stadium was Jamsil Baseball Stadium to achieve the 20-20 club milestone (20 home runs and 20 stolen bases) in a single season.

The pinnacle of his career came in 2023, when he captained the LG Twins to their first Korean Series championship in 29 years. During the 2023 Korean Series, Oh Ji-hwan delivered an exceptional performance, hitting three consecutive home runs in Games 2, 3, and 4. His leadership and clutch hitting were recognized with the Korean Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, receiving 80 out of 93 votes from the press corps. This made him the first LG Twins batter in franchise history to win the Korean Series MVP. Following the 2023 season, he became a free agent for the second time and re-signed with the LG Twins for a six-year deal, from 2024 to 2029, totaling 12.40 B KRW.

4.1. Early International Appearances

Following his impressive 2010 KBO season, Oh Ji-hwan was selected to the national team to compete in the Intercontinental Cup held in Taichung. In this tournament, he had a batting average of .250 (6-for-24) with 1 home run and 4 RBIs.

4.2. Major International Tournaments

Oh Ji-hwan has participated in several high-profile international tournaments:

• 2018 Asian Games: He was a member of the South Korean team that won the gold medal.
• 2020 Summer Olympics: He was part of the South Korean baseball roster for the Olympic Games held in Tokyo.
• 2023 World Baseball Classic: He represented South Korea in the international tournament.

5.1. Marriage and Family

Oh Ji-hwan is married to Kim Young-eun. Their marriage took place in 2019.

8.1. Playing Style and Strengths

Oh Ji-hwan is widely recognized for his unique skills as a shortstop, combining strong defensive capabilities with significant power-hitting and baserunning abilities. His defensive prowess at shortstop is a cornerstone of his game, allowing him to make challenging plays and consistently contribute to his team's infield stability. Offensively, he is known for his ability to hit for power, a rare trait for a shortstop, as evidenced by his 20-homer seasons and the 20-20 club achievement at Jamsil. He is also an effective baserunner, utilizing his speed for stolen bases, making him a multi-faceted threat on the field. His contributions have been crucial to the LG Twins, especially during their championship run in 2023, where he emerged as a team leader and MVP.

8.2. Controversies and Criticisms

A significant controversy in Oh Ji-hwan's career emerged in 2017 when he attempted to join the Police Baseball Team to fulfill his mandatory military service requirements. His application was rejected, reportedly due to a tattoo, which is typically considered grounds for disqualification in military service and related programs in South Korea. This incident generated considerable public discussion regarding military service exemptions and eligibility criteria for athletes. Despite this setback, he later secured a military exemption through his gold medal victory at the 2018 Asian Games.