While the NC Dinos have lost two consecutive games, Mok Ji-hoon, the “Meet Boy,” will make his debut in the first division. Will he be able to save NC, which is in crisis.
Mok Ji-hoon will take the mound as NC’s starting pitcher in a home game against KT Wiz in the 2024 professional baseball KBO League regular season at Changwon NC Park on the 3rd.
Mok Ji-hoon, a native of Cheongnyang Middle School and Shinil High School, is a right-handed pitcher who was called by NC as the 34th player in the fourth round of 2023. He had never played in the first division before the game against KT, and played in only three games (3.00 ERA with one loss and one hold) in the Futures League last year, but he has improved further this season. He has been consistently playing in the starting rotation of NC C team (NC Futures team), recording 1-4 losses and 2.65 ERA in 14 games. His ERA is currently second in the Southern League.
He is especially famous among fans for his advertisements that he took when he was young. Mok was 7 years old in 2011 and filmed a commercial for “Meet,” a hot chocolate brand, with former coach Kim Sung-keun. Back then, he drew attention from many people with his line “Grandpa, are you good at baseball?” and now he is a confident professional baseball player.
In recognition of his performance, he is Mok Ji-hoon, who also played in the Futures League All-Star Game this year. At the time of selection, he said through the club, “I’m so honored (to play in the Futures League All-Star Game),” and added, “I’ve always wanted to show my fans a good performance, but I’m happy to have the opportunity to show them a little more through this Futures League All-Star Game.” For reference, the performance in the Futures League All-Star Game was one hit, one homer and one run in one inning, and was hit by Ham Chang-gun (LG Twins) in the right-center field.
Mok’s biggest advantage is that he does not throw balls well due to his stable ball control. While playing 57.2 innings in this year’s Futures League, he dedicated only 25 pitches. In comparison, he has 43 strikeouts, which gives him strength in ball control. Mok’s hit rate in this year’s Futures League is only 0.192.
Mok Ji-hoon’s NC team is facing a clear crisis these days. It has lost two consecutive games, and the pitching staff has been particularly sluggish recently. Starting with starter Lee Jae-hak (three runs in two innings), Lim Jung-ho (three runs in two innings), Ryu Jin-wook (three runs in 0.1 innings), Song Myung-ki (one run in 0.1 innings), Lee Joon-ho (two runs in 0.1 innings), Kim Young-kyu (one run in one inning), Kim Jae-yeol (one run in one inning), Lee Yong-chan (three runs in 0.1 innings), Jeon Sa-min (one run in 0.1 innings), and Son Joo-hwan (one run in 0.1 innings) were dispatched, but they failed to prevent the 9-14 defeat.
In the match against KT in Changwon on the following day, the NC mound was severely shaken. Along with Kim Si-hoon (three innings and four runs), Ryu Jin-wook (one run in 1.2 innings), Song Myung-ki (0.1 scoreless innings), Lee Joon-ho (one scoreless inning), Kim Jae-yeol (two runs in one inning), Kim Young-kyu (one scoreless inning), Lee Yong-chan (one scoreless inning), and Han Jae-seung (one scoreless inning) were in the lineup, but they had to kneel 7-9. Mok Ji-hoon, who has to play some innings from his debut in the first division, has been consumed by the bullpen for two days.
Currently ranking seventh with 48 wins, two draws and 51 losses, the NC Dinosaurs are in a tight race with the fourth-ranked Doosan Bears (54 wins, two draws and 51 losses), the fifth-ranked SSG Landers (51 wins, one draw and 50 losses), and the sixth-ranked KT (50 wins, two draws and 51 losses), respectively. The gap between the three teams is three games, two games and one game, respectively. However, if the gap is made for a while, the team could have a long way to go toward fall baseball. Above all, the Hanwha Eagles (45 wins, two draws and 53 losses), who are ranking eighth, are also chasing the team. 먹튀검증
In the meantime, NC decided to release foreign pitcher Daniel Castano as the final showdown to advance to the post season, and when new foreign pitcher Eric Jokish was left vacant before joining the team, Mok Ji-hoon was appointed as the right candidate to fill the vacancy. Will Mok Ji-hoon be able to save NC, which has been in crisis by pitching well in its debut match for the first team.
Meanwhile, KT has announced right-hander Joey-hyun as its starting pitcher to counteract the situation. Nominated by Hanwha as the 47th overall pick in the second round of the fifth round in 2014, he has been active at KT since last year after going through SSG. He has posted an ERA of 6.34 with eight wins, 14 losses and one save through 97 games (203 innings) through the 2023 season, and has displayed an ERA of 7.94 without winning or losing in nine games (17 innings) this year.
