LG Twins Release Veteran Catcher Heo Do-hwan: A Look Back at His KBO Journey and Future Prospects

Heo Do-hwan.

LG Twins backup catcher Heo Do-hwan (40) has been released.

LG announced on the 24th, “We will remove Heo Do-hwan and Yun Ho-sol from the list of upcoming players through team reorganization.”

Heo Do-hwan is the only player in KBO League history to hold a championship ring from one of the three telecommunications companies. He played as a successful member of the Korean Series for SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers) in 2018, KT Wiz in 2021, and LG in 2023.

Game 4 of the 2023 KBO Korean Series between LG Twins and KT Wiz was held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the afternoon of the 11th. LG Heo Do-hwan is happy after hitting a 1-RBI double in the 8th inning. Suwon = Reporter Jeong Si-jong [email protected] /2023.11.11.

However, his basketball life was full of ups and downs. He was a journeyman who played for 6 clubs. He went through one release, two trades, the second draft, and free agency (FA).

Heo Do-hwan graduated from Dankook University and joined the Doosan Bears (7th round, 56th pick) in 2007 and was released after one season. After completing his military service as a public service worker, he passed a test and was able to wear a professional uniform again at Nexen (now Kiwoom) Heroes in 2011. In 2013, he played in in 116 games and was the starting catcher. Heo Do-hwan moved to the Hanwha Eagles via trade in 2015, and had to move to SK via the second draft after the end of the 2017 season. In the fall of 2019, he moved to KT Wiz again via trade

Heo Do-hwan made his first free agent (FA) right in December 2021 and signed a two-year contract with LG for a total of 400 million won.

From left, LG coach won Park Dong-, Park Gyeong-wan, and Heo Do-hwan. Photo = provided by LG

At LG, where receiver growth is slow, Heo Do-hwan did well as a backup receiver. After last year’s Korean Series, all names were included in LG’s postseason (PS) entries. Recently, he played an active role as Choi Won-tae’s best catcher.

Heo Do-hwan, a former defensive catcher, recorded a 0.209 batting average, 13 home runs, and 142 RBIs in 885 professional games. He was the oldest active catcher. Although Heo Do-hwan is said to be planning to continue his career as a player, it is not clear if he will continue to play next year after receiving a recruitment offer from another team.

LG plans to promote the growth of new homecoming talent such as Kim Beom-seok and Lee Joo-heon.

Meanwhile, Yun Ho-sol, who was announced today along with Heo Do-hwan, joined LG as a compensatory player for free agent Chae Eun-seong in 2023, and recorded an ERA of 4.15 in 7 first team games this season. Yun Ho-sol, who entered the NC as a priority draft pick in 2013 and played for the Hanwha Eagles-LG, posted 6 wins, 6 losses, 15 holds, and an ERA of 5.30 in 129 professional games.

LG announced its second release list after releasing six players, including pitchers Choi Dong-hwan, Kim Dan-woo and Lee Ji-hoon, infielders Han Ji-yong, and players who -out Lee Tae-gyeom and Jeon Jin-young, from the upcoming player. list earlier this month.

Reporter Lee Hyeong-seok [email protected]