Jung Min-hyuk's Keen Eye That Discovered Moon Hyun-bin Now Turns to Oh Jae-won... Will Hanwha's 'Perlaza Pick' Complete the Final Puzzle?

[Financial News] The Hanwha Eagles have finally completed their foreign hitter puzzle. Although there was some initial hesitation, the expected choice was made: Yonathan Perlaza, a 25-year-old switch-hitter from Venezuela. The club made a full commitment, signing him for a total of $1 million, including a $200,000 signing bonus and a $700,000 salary.
Perlaza’s addition brings significant power to Hanwha’s lineup. With Chae Eun-seong, Roh Si-hwan, Kang Baek-ho, Moon Hyun-bin, and now Perlaza, the batting order could rightfully be called 'dynamite.' However, every bright spot casts a shadow. Perlaza’s arrival has left Hanwha with a major defensive challenge. He is a typical corner outfielder, and with Luis Liberato, the previous center fielder, now gone, the position is wide open.
Although players like Lee Won-seok, Lee Jinyoung, and Choi In-ho are available, no one has claimed center field as their own. As a result, both fans and insiders are intensely focused on a single rookie: Oh Jae-won, the specialist center fielder boldly selected by Hanwha in the 2026 rookie draft.
Hanwha’s draft strategy this year was nothing short of bold. Since the rookie draft shifted to a full draft format, no outfielder had ever been picked in the first round, let alone within the top five overall.

Moreover, Hanwha has traditionally favored safe picks in the early rounds. Selecting an outfielder—not an infielder—with the third overall pick was unprecedented. Even at the draft site, the decision caused a stir, but Jung Min-hyuk, Hanwha Eagles’ scouting director, was resolute.
In an interview with this publication, Jung stated, "Oh Jae-won was our choice from the beginning. Even if Jae-in Shin had been available, our decision would have been the same. We have believed since last year that he was essential for our team and were determined to select him. That conviction has never wavered."
Although there was some comparative analysis with available pitchers, the conclusion was always Oh Jae-won. The reason is clear. Jung explained, "The value of center fielders in our league will only increase going forward." He believes Oh Jae-won’s defensive skills and base running will immediately strengthen the team.
This perfectly fits Hanwha’s current situation. With Moon Hyun-bin and Perlaza covering the corners and offensive power on the rise, the team desperately needs a specialist center fielder to cover the expanded defensive range. Jung’s comment that "Oh Jae-won brings so many strengths to the team" was not just a compliment, but a carefully calculated move.
Interestingly, the process and expectations surrounding Oh Jae-won’s acquisition are strikingly similar to the case of Moon Hyun-bin, who led Hanwha’s resurgence in 2023. It’s almost a parallel theory.

During the 2023 draft, Jung Min-hyuk shocked everyone by selecting Moon Hyun-bin in the second round. Although overshadowed by standouts like Kim Min-seok and Kim Beom-seok, Jung focused on Moon’s leadership, grit, and robust health.
As captain of Bukil High School, Moon led his team to victory in the Emart High School Baseball Tournament and also served as captain of the national youth team, earning high marks for his mentality and baseball IQ.
The result was a resounding success. Moon Hyun-bin exploded this season, ranking fifth in batting average and becoming one of the key contributors to Hanwha’s runner-up finish.
Oh Jae-won is following a similar path. He has proven his leadership as captain of the current national youth team and, despite a relatively small frame, has demonstrated tenacity and fearlessness with diving catches.
Jung Min-hyuk also emphasized, "Innate instincts and mentality are more important than physical attributes." Hanwha’s bold move to select Oh Jae-won—who was also on the radar of other clubs like the Doosan Bears—mirrors the decisive moment when they picked Moon Hyun-bin two years ago.

Ultimately, Hanwha has gained a powerful new bat in Perlaza but left a gap in the heart of its defense. The club has now entrusted rookie Oh Jae-won with the key to filling that void.
Oh Jae-won is quick on his feet and excels at making contact. Above all, his defense is remarkably consistent, rarely experiencing slumps. Jung Min-hyuk expressed his confidence, saying, "His defense and base running are ready for the first team right now."
Even if his hitting takes time to develop, Oh Jae-won’s speed and instincts make him the perfect fit to cover Daejeon’s expansive outfield from day one.
Jung Min-hyuk remarked, "With Hanwha’s performance improving so much, we felt it was crucial to select players who could quickly contribute to the team. We believe Oh Jae-won will become an asset in a short period of time."

This year’s rookie draft reflected Jung Min-hyuk’s vision more than ever. His prediction that "center fielders will become scarce in the league" has already proven accurate.
It was the boldest move in Hanwha Eagles’ draft history, one that could determine the fate of the team. Not only Oh Jae-won, but also second-round pick Kang Gun-woo, are part of this gamble. Will Jung Min-hyuk’s bold selection of Oh Jae-won pay off once again?
With Perlaza completing the lineup, the final piece of the puzzle now rests in the hands of Oh Jae-won, who has just graduated high school. This is why Hanwha fans are once again watching Jung Min-hyuk’s scouting acumen with great interest.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter