Team Korea's Dong-joo Moon is answering questions from reporters ahead of an evaluation game against the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres, who are participating in the MLB World Tour Seoul Series, at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro-gu, Seoul on the afternoon of the 16th. 

“Ryu Hyun-jin told me not to go over 150km... “

National baseball team ace Moon Dong-ju (21, Hanwha Eagles), who was selected as the starting pitcher for the practice game against the Major League Baseball San Diego Padres, laughed as he said this. Although it is a valuable experience to compete against the world's best players, the 'senior' advised us not to overdo it as the season begins.

Moon Dong-ju joined the national team and trained at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the 16th.

The national team is scheduled to play a practice game against the San Diego Padres on the 17th and the LA Dodgers on the 18th. National baseball coach Ryu Joong-il selected Moon Dong-ju as the starting pitcher for the game against San Diego. This was based on the judgment that he was the ‘best ace’.

Dongju Moon said, “I think it will be fun. “I want to show my spirit because I am only 20 years old in American age,” he said. “The only thing I can push against is my age. “I want to prove to the world why I am going to my first game,” he said, solidifying his ambition.

Moon Dong-joo's desired match with 'superstar' Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers) was canceled. Still, San Diego is also a team with many star players.

Dong-ju Moon said, “It’s a pity that I can’t face Ohtani, but it’s also an honor to face San Diego, where senior Kim Ha-seong is,” and added, “I will go into the game with the mindset that I will learn a lot.”

San Diego Padres players, including Manny Machado, participating in the MLB World Tour Seoul Series are entering the country through Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 in the early morning of the 15th. 

Moon Dong-ju, who has already been recognized as the national team's ace at a young age, is also an important force for his team Hanwha. He forms one of the domestic starters along with Ryu Hyun-jin, who joined before the season.

Accordingly, Ryu Hyun-jin hoped that his junior Moon Dong-ju would return unscathed.

Moon Dong-ju said, “(Ryu Hyun-jin) first told me not to exceed 148 km/h, but then he said he would increase it by 2 km to 150 km/h,” adding, “It was a joking advice to not overdo it.” “I also know that the season is much more important, so I try to listen to what my senior says.”

Dong-ju Moon is focusing on ‘experience’ and ‘confidence’ rather than the game itself. He said, “I want to make good use of the pitches I have and throw confidently,” and added, “As long as I don’t avoid it, it doesn’t matter how many points I score or whether I hit a home run. “He would rather look at the catcher’s mitt and put it in than the batter,” he emphasized. 스포츠토토맨