“Who is Seo Dong-wook?” was the biggest question for Lotte Giants fans at the beginning of this season. A player whose name was unfamiliar to them had been performing exceptionally well in the Futures League. Dong-wook Seo joined the Lotte Giants as a non-drafted free agent. The name was unfamiliar to Lotte fans. However, he has already made his first-team debut on May 12 against the KT Wiz, and he is still hitting hot in the Futures League. As of May 12, Seo has a 3-for-7 record with six home runs and an OPS of 1.171 in the Futures League.
Lotte fans are looking forward to another rookie phenom. Right now, the Lotte Giants already have an outstanding former rookie star in Jeong Hoon. Moving on to other teams, Kim Hyun-soo, Park Hae-min (LG Twins), Chae Eun-sung (Hanwha Eagles), and Lee Ji-young (Kiwoom Heroes) are all making their mark on their respective teams. Seo Dong-wook is also working hard to become another rookie star in the Futures League.
Despite his position as a catcher, Seo is a fan favorite because he has good hitting skills. He is also confident in his defense, so he is likely to become a more prominent part of the Lotte Giants’ catching staff in the future.
Seo was a bit nervous before we started talking because he hadn’t done many interviews before. However, once we started talking about baseball, he showed no signs of nervousness and continued to answer skillfully.
What inspired you to start playing baseball?
[Player Seo Dong-wook]
When I was a kid, I liked to follow my dad everywhere. When I was in the second grade, I followed my dad to Namsan Elementary School (Suncheon) baseball field and took a test there. After that, I started playing baseball because I enjoyed it.
[Busan Baseball Story]
You’ve been in the professional league for three months now. How has the professional stage been?
[Seo Dong-wook]
The manager, coaches, trainers, and seniors take care of me very well, so I feel like I’m having a happy and fun professional life.
[Busan Baseball Report]
Do you have a favorite senior who takes care of you the most (laughs)?
[Player Seo Dong-wook]
There are too many people who do a good job to name one person, so all of my seniors care about me and take care of me.
[Busan Baseball Report]
When you visited the Daejeon Hanwha Life Eagles Park, high school senior Chae Eun-sung gave you a bat. Did Chae Eun-sung give you any advice at that time?
[Seo Dong-wook]
She said, ‘I heard that you’re doing well’ and ‘If you work hard, you’ll do well’.
[Busan Baseball Report]
If you have any role models, please introduce them.
[Seo Dong-wook]
Originally, it was Yang Yang-ji, but after I joined Lotte, I switched to Coach Baek Yong-wan. The more I learned from Coach Baek, the more I realized how great he was.
[Busan Baseball].
There is a lot of fan interest in Seo Dong-wook. He hasn’t been playing professionally for long, but he’s been hitting like a hot shot. Is there anything that made you improve your batting?
[Dong-wook Seo]
I don’t think so, I just try to do my best in every game, every at-bat, and I think that leads to good results.
Seo’s stellar Futures performance earned him a dream first-team start on May 12 against the KT Wiz at KT Wiz Park in Suwon. He started at catcher and partnered with Park Se-woong, but unfortunately, the team lost 2-1. Although the outcome was somewhat disappointing, as he went 0-for-2 at the plate, it was a memorable day for Seo Dong-wook.
[Busan Baseball Report]
On May 12, you made your dream professional debut at KT Wiz Park in Suwon. How did it feel to share the batter’s box with Park Se-woong?
[Seo Dong-wook]
I just received the ball thinking that we were the same player, and since he is a pitcher who throws so well, I just trusted him and received the ball.
[Busan Baseball Report]
It was an away game, but many Lotte fans filled the stadium at KT Wiz Park. It must have been your first time playing baseball in front of a large crowd, so tell us about your feelings at that time.
[Player Seo Dong-wook]
It was my first time playing baseball in front of a large crowd, so I was very nervous at first, but I think I relaxed as the game progressed and I received the ball. The cheering was also very fun. I think I enjoyed playing baseball.
[Busan Baseball Report]
What do you think are your strengths and what would you like to improve in the future?
[Dong-wook Seo]
On the batting side, I think my strengths are strong hitting and long balls, but on the defensive side, I would like to show more stability. I think it would be better if I could make accurate throws based on my strong shoulders. I want to be a player who grows step by step while improving my deficiencies.
[Busan Baseball Report].
There is an episode that fans are curious about. During your first team start, you received a ball from Park Se-woong and hit Ryu Hyun-in in the head while returning it. Could you give us a brief explanation of that situation? (Laughs)
[Seo Dong-wook]
I’ve never hit anyone in my life while playing baseball, but at that time, I hit Ryu Hyun-in, so I think my head was full of thoughts like, “What’s wrong with me?
[Busan Baseball Report]
Did you have any conversations with Ryu Hyun-in afterward?
[Seo Dong-wook]
I’ve known Hyun-in since high school, and when I was batting, he asked me, “Dong-wook, what are you doing?” I didn’t think it was my fault, so I replied, “Why did you put your head down?” (laughs) Since I’m close to Hyun-in, I posted a post about it on SNS, and a lot of Hyun-in’s fans saw it.
[Busan Baseball].
You joined the team through a rookie contract instead of being drafted. At the time of the draft, your heart must have been heavy, but how did you feel when the offer came in?
[Seo Dong-wook]
I thought, “I’m going to go to the professional stage and work hard. I think I was just thinking, “I have to go out there and do my best 스포츠토토.
[Busan Baseball].
I realized my goal of making my first-team debut this season, but I think I have other goals as well.
[Player Seo Dong-wook]
The Futures team is performing well right now, so my goal is for the Lotte Giants to finish first in the Futures League this season. And if I make it to the first team, my goal is to play fall baseball and help the team win.
[Busan Baseball].
What kind of player do you want to be in the future?
[Player Seo Dong-wook]
It’s rare for a player to be good from the beginning, but I want to be a player who can grow gradually, even if it’s a little late.
[Busan Baseball Report]
Do you have any words for the LOTTE fans?
[Seo Dong-wook]
Whether it’s the first or second team, I will continue my ‘momentum’ wherever Lotte needs me. Thank you.
The Lotte Giants’ offense has gone cold in June. Their starting pitchers have been doing their job, but their offense hasn’t been clicking and they’ve been losing games. Currently, the Lotte Giants have a number of players in the Futures League who are hitting well. Among them, Seo Dong-wook is the first-team call-up who has been hitting the best. If he continues his hot hitting, he has a very good chance of making it back to the first team, so he could be the key to the Lotte Giants’ momentum.
For a more in-depth interview with Seo Dong-wook, check out the video.