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Kang Baek-ho looks to soar in first season with Hanwha Eagles

Published: 26 Feb. 2026, 15:31 Updated: 26 Feb. 2026, 15:45

Kang Baek-ho of the Hanwha Eagles [HANWHA EAGLES]

Kang Baek-ho has been the biggest talking point of the KBO offseason this winter after joining the Hanwha Eagles.

“Instead of worrying about me, I hope you’ll look forward to what’s ahead and cheer me on. I promise I’ll make it worth your support," he said.

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Kang first became eligible for free agency in November 2025 and signed with the Eagles on a four-year deal worth up to 10 billion won ($7 million), including a 5 billion won signing bonus, 3 billion won in total salary and 2 billion won in incentives, his first change of scenery since joining the KT Wiz in 2018.

“The transfer process is never easy,” Kang said, now in the middle of getting into shape at the Eagles' spring camp in Okinawa, Japan. “I had a lot of worries. But once I actually moved teams, I realized life is the same everywhere. Everyone has been great to me. I’m adapting better than expected and having fun.

“Sim Woo-jun, whom I’ve been close with for years, helped a lot with settling in,” he said. “From Ryu Hyun-jin to the younger guys, everyone has been so welcoming, so it’s been enjoyable.”

Kang began his pro career with Wiz, leaving a strong first impression by homering in his debut at-bat. That year, he hit .290 with 29 home runs and 84 RBIs in 138 games and took home the Rookie of the Year award.

He later established himself as Wiz’s marquee hitter, but from 2022, injuries and a slump overlapped and he failed to live up to his reputation. He also bounced between positions.

Kang Baek-ho takes part in the Hanwha Eagles’ spring training camp in Okinawa, Japan. [HANWHA EAGLES]

The Eagles, however, put a high value on Kang’s hitting talent and made an aggressive move. The club showed strong intent, going as far as finalizing the deal with his signature on the first day of negotiations.

“I’m grateful the Eagles brought me in on good terms,” he said. “Of course, I feel like I bear a heavy responsibility. I also want this move to be a turning point for me as a player.

“I’ve always worked hard from spring camp every year,” he continued. “But this year, since I’m starting in a completely new environment, I’ll take on the challenge with clear goals.”

He has also settled on a role. Kang is expected to split time at first base with veteran Chae Eun-seong, the team captain and the starting first baseman.

“Kang has trained at first base and worked on outfield defense,” said the Eagles manager Kim Kyung-moon. “But now we’re planning to settle him at first.”

KT Wiz outfielder Kang Baek-ho runs to first after hitting an RBI single during a KBO game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in southern Seoul on Sept. 11, 2025. [NEWS1]

“I’m not training anywhere other than first base,” Kang said. “I’ve played it a lot, so there won’t be any issue adapting. Chae is so steady defensively. If I can fill in without a drop-off when he rests, I’d call that a success.”

The manager also offered encouragement when his new signing came to greet him for the first time after the move. “A manager’s job is to help players feel comfortable on the field,” Kim told Kang. “Don’t worry about looking over your shoulder. Play the baseball you want and feel at ease doing it.”

“It felt really good to hear that from the manager,” Kang said. “I was happy, and it felt like something inside me had been lifted. After that, I felt much brighter and could focus on baseball more comfortably. I feel like I need to live up to expectations, so I’m working harder and trying to set a good example.”

Kang’s goals this season are to play a full season and reach the postseason. “Finishing the season without missing the first-team roster even once is the priority,” he said. “If I do that and still don’t perform, that makes no sense. I know people are skeptical about me, inside and outside the club. Still, I hope fans will choose expectation over worry and support over concern. I’ll be the kind of player who repays that.”

“When I signed with the Eagles, my biggest goal was to help the team reach the postseason every year over the next four seasons,” he said. “A championship takes luck, so I can’t promise the title the moment I arrive. But if we keep knocking at the door for four years, I believe it will open wide someday.”

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.
BY BAE YOUNG-EUN [[email protected]]