Busan, South Korea — With the weight of a struggling franchise on his shoulders, Park Jun-yeong is set to take the mound for the Hana Eagles in a pivotal KBO League matchup against the Lotte Giants on April 17, 2026. The game, scheduled for 6:30 p.m. KST at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium, represents more than just another contest in the standings — it’s a chance for the young right-hander to stabilize a pitching staff in crisis and offer a glimmer of hope to a fanbase weary from repeated disappointment.
The Eagles enter the matchup mired in a six-game losing streak, having dropped consecutive games from April 10 against the KIA Tigers in Daejeon to April 16 versus the Samsung Lions, also in Daejeon. During this stretch, Hana’s pitching has been particularly vulnerable, issuing an alarming number of walks and committing defensive errors that have compounded their struggles. According to team sources, the atmosphere within the clubhouse has deteriorated significantly, with confidence at a low ebb as the team searches for answers.
Park, a 22-year-old native of Daejeon and product of Seogwang Middle and High School, was selected by the Hana Eagles in the second round of the 2022 KBO Draft with the 31st overall pick. Though he has yet to establish himself as a mainstay in the rotation, his upcoming start represents a critical opportunity. In limited action last season, Park appeared in 17 games (25 innings), recording one loss and a 10.08 ERA. This year, as a reliever, he has pitched in seven games (4.2 innings) with a 7.71 ERA, showing flashes of promise amid inconsistency.
His most notable outing came on October 3, 2025, in the final regular-season game against the KT Wiz at Suwon Baseball Stadium. Starting as a reliever, Park threw 110 pitches over five innings, allowing three hits, six walks, and three strikeouts while surrendering two runs. Although he exited with Hana leading 6-0 in the fifth inning, the game ended in a 6-6 tie, denying him his first professional win. Despite the no-decision, the performance stood out as one of his better efforts, particularly given the pressure of pitching with a lead.
However, control remains a persistent issue. Across his 25 innings of work, Park has issued 28 walks — a rate that underscores the challenges he faces in refining his command. Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon acknowledged the need for improvement, stating that while Park has shown potential, consistency in throwing strikes will be essential moving forward.
The decision to start Park comes amid broader roster adjustments by the Hana Eagles. Just days prior, on April 15, the team held steady against the Samsung Lions in Daejeon despite ongoing struggles. Manager Kim Kyung-moon addressed reporters before the game, emphasizing that altering the active roster is often a sign of desperation rather than strategy. “Changing pitchers, changing position players — that’s what losing teams do,” Kim said. “We’re not there yet. We believe in our guys, and we believe a win is coming.”
That same day, the Eagles had acquired left-handed pitcher Lee Kyo-hoon from the Doosan Bears in exchange for financial compensation, though Lee was not immediately activated for the Samsung series. Kim noted that while roster moves are common among struggling clubs, the focus remains on developing internal solutions and trusting the process.
Meanwhile, the Lotte Giants arrive in Busan riding momentum from a recent preseason victory. On March 22, 2026, Lotte defeated the Hana Eagles 10-6 in an exhibition game at Sajik Stadium, fueled by strong performances from Victor Reyes and Yang Seong-bin, who each hit home runs. Yang’s three-run blast in the third inning and Reyes’ towering two-run shot highlighted Lotte’s offensive depth, while the Eagles struggled to generate consistent offense despite late-inning rallies.
That preseason result follows a historical trend between the two clubs. In the 2025 KBO season, Hana dominated Lotte in their April 10 meeting at Sajik Stadium, winning 13-0 behind a stellar pitching performance. That victory helped Hana extend its winning streak and kept playoff hopes alive, while Lotte sank into a six-game losing streak. The contrast underscores how quickly fortunes can shift in the KBO, where momentum and execution often dictate outcomes.
For Park Jun-yeong, the upcoming start is less about statistics and more about mindset. In a team environment where mistakes are magnified and confidence is fragile, his ability to attack the zone, work efficiently, and keep his team in games could be just as valuable as any win. As Kim Kyung-moon noted ahead of the Samsung series, “We’ve seen tough times before. But as long as we keep fighting, we believe things will turn around.”
The Eagles’ next steps will depend heavily on how they respond to adversity in the coming days. A win against Lotte could serve as a catalyst, breaking the losing streak and restoring belief in the club’s direction. For Park, it’s a chance to prove he belongs — not just as a prospect, but as a contributor capable of shouldering responsibility when it matters most.
Fans can follow the game through official KBO League broadcasts and the Hana Eagles’ digital platforms. Updates on roster moves, pitching availability, and managerial decisions will be provided as they become available.
What’s next: The Hana Eagles will look to build on any positive momentum from the April 17 game when they return home to face the SSG Landers in a three-game series beginning April 18 at Daejeon Hana Citizen Ballpark.
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