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A Korean prospect is making waves in the U.S. minor leagues, hitting massive home runs while wearing a headband featuring the South Korean flag. Let's meet Cho Won-bin of the St. Louis Cardinals, who has smashed five home runs in just eight games since his promotion to Double-A.
Reporter Bae Jeonghun has the story.
[Reporter]
Since his high school days, Cho Won-bin has been a highly touted prospect, recognized for his well-rounded skills in hitting, fielding, and baserunning.
In 2020, during his sophomore year of high school, he became the first Asian player to win the Power Showcase, an event featuring top power-hitting prospects from around the world.
Although he was considered a potential first-round pick in the KBO League, Cho chose to cross the Pacific, signing a contract with the St. Louis Cardinals for $500,000.
After struggling with a batting slump last year, he faced growing pains, but in his fifth year in the minor leagues, he has begun to unleash his full potential.
In May, he hit five home runs, including a three-game home run streak in High-A, earning him the organization's Minor League Player of the Month award. Since his promotion to Double-A last week, he has been on an even hotter streak.
Starting with his first home run in his second Double-A game, he went on to hit home runs in three consecutive games, including a grand slam and a walk-off home run, quickly emerging as the team's top star.
In today's game (July 3), he recorded a center-field single in his first at-bat in the second inning, followed by a massive home run in the fourth inning, sending a 180 km/h (112 mph) rocket over the center-field fence.
It is an incredible pace of five home runs in eight games.
Wearing a headband adorned with the South Korean flag, Cho Won-bin is dominating the Double-A level and rising rapidly as a top prospect, now putting his dream of a big league debut within reach.
[Video Editing: Park Ki-deok, Source: Cho Won-bin's SNS, St. Louis Cardinals Affiliate SNS]
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