Why Didn’t Doosan Pick Park Han-gyul? The Answer Was Already Clear... Because They Have Ahn Jae-seok and Park Jun-soon

[Financial News] Doosan is heating up again. The club’s efforts to revive the memories of its dynasty, when the Korean Series was a regular occurrence, are gradually becoming reality. The first step in rebuilding the dynasty is to solidify the area between third base and shortstop.
At the heart of this effort are two young infielders: Ahn Jae-seok and Park Jun-soon. They are the new core Doosan has been searching for, a duo poised to open the door to a new era.
There was a time when Doosan had a 'sure thing' at every position: Yang Eui-ji, Hur Kyoung-min, Kim Jae-ho, and Jung Soo-bin. These names alone symbolized the stability of the dynasty. But as time passed, those spots became vacant. The area between third base and shortstop, the backbone of a strong team, became shaky, and the results showed in the standings. While the LG Twins have Moon Bo-gyeong and Oh Ji-hwan, and the Kia Tigers are anchored by Kim Do-young and Chan-ho Park, for Doosan, that responsibility now falls to Ahn Jae-seok and Park Jun-soon.

The two players share many similarities. Both were First-Round Designation infielders for Doosan and both are franchise prospects from Seoul (Seoul High and Deoksu High). Ahn Jae-seok is a large-framed shortstop with a smooth throwing motion and a 145 km/h arm, while Park Jun-soon swept the Golden Lion Flag National High School Baseball Tournament and the Shinsegae E-Mart National High School Baseball Tournament as a consecutive Most Valuable Player (MVP) second baseman.
Their combination is also ideal. Ahn Jae-seok bats left and throws right, Park Jun-soon bats right, and they play shortstop and second base respectively—an optimal pairing. This means Doosan already possesses the 'theoretical completeness' to design a new era for their infield.
Despite being a rookie this season, Park Jun-soon appeared in 298 plate appearances and posted a .284 batting average. Although he experienced growing pains while shifting between third base and shortstop—positions that are not his primary roles—he was by no means a weak defender. He joined the team as a pure infielder, not a converted pitcher. Meanwhile, the returning Ahn Jae-seok showcased an explosion of talent. After completing his military service, he hit .319 with four home runs and just one error. Notably, his walk-off home run against the Kia Tigers on August 14 thrilled Doosan fans.
Their personalities differ as well. Park Jun-soon is quiet and diligent, while Ahn Jae-seok is a lively, MZ-style leader. Yet, when they are together on the field, Doosan’s energy changes.

In the 2026 draft, Doosan passed on the much-discussed shortstop Park Han-gyul. The reason was simple: "We have Ahn Jae-seok and Park Jun-soon." What Doosan truly needed was not a new player for the area between third base and shortstop, but the maturation of their existing prospects. That’s why they chose to strengthen the outfield and selected Kim Joo-oh.
Slugger Kim Jae-hwan decided to stay with the team, foregoing Free Agency (FA). Although age and practical considerations played a role, his decision can be read as a message: "One more time with Doosan." Alongside him, rumors are swirling about the possible signing of Hyun-soo Kim, a top name in the FA market. The combination of a young infield and a veteran core lineup is why Doosan is considered a "dark horse" for next year.

Doosan holds the second overall pick in next year’s draft. Whether they select one of the 'two-way trio'—Ha Hyeonseung, Junsang Eom, or Kim Ji-woo—the future core will be strengthened by another 'super rookie.' Outwardly, Doosan may seem quiet right now, but a closer look reveals a different story. The growth of the young infield duo, Kim Jae-hwan’s decision to stay, the persistent rumors about Hyun-soo Kim, and the high draft pick for next season—all these factors mean Doosan’s resurgence is more than just a dream.
"We have Ahn Jae-seok and Park Jun-soon." Doosan fans are beginning to pin their hopes on this simple statement once again.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter