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Dinos rookie Ko Jun-hwi becomes 2nd player in KBO history to record multiple hits, home run, steal in first start

Published: 24 Apr. 2026, 08:49

Ko Jun-hwi of the NC Dinos holds the balls for his first career hit in his right hand and first career home run in the KBO following a 12-2 win over the Kiwoom Heroes at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on April 23. [YONHAP]

The night before making his first start in the KBO in Seoul on Thursday, NC Dinos rookie Ko Jun-hwi tried to calm his nerves by sticking to his normal pregame routine — turning the lights out, blocking out all the noise and visualizing what he’ll do on the field.

Whatever the 18-year-old outfielder imagined, he couldn't have asked for much more than what he actually did against the Kiwoom Heroes.

Ko batted 2-for-4 with his first career home run and stole his first base, helping the Dinos hammer the Heroes 12-2 at Gocheok Sky Dome. Ko became only the second player in the KBO's 44-year history to record multiple hits, a home run and a steal in his first start.

“I had no idea that I was accomplishing these things,” Ko said with a smile afterward. “I was so locked in, and I just found out now. I feel pretty proud of this, and I'm getting goose bumps.”

“This is a dream come true. I can't wait to see what lies ahead,” he continued.

A fourth-round selection in last year's draft, Ko broke camp with the Dinos and made his KBO debut on opening day, March 28, as a pinch hitter. After coming off the bench in the next two games without recording a hit, Ko was shipped to the minors.

He was called up before Thursday's game, with manager Lee Ho-joon saying that Ko had been the minor league team's best hitter for some time and that he wanted to see how the teenager would fare this time around. Ko got hit by a pitch in the second inning — also a career first — and then got his first hit and RBIs with a two-run single in the third. He promptly swiped his first bag.

The big moment came in the seventh inning with a two-run home run off Jhun Jun-pyo. Ko drilled a 2-2 slider from the right-hander and sent it 120 meters (393.7 feet) over the wall in right field. After making contact, Ko busted it out of the box, as if he wasn't sure if the ball would leave the yard. Ko sheepishly admitted he had lost track of the ball and figured it would maybe go over the head of the right fielder Lee Hyung-jong.

Ko Jun-hwi of the NC Dinos hits a two-run home run against the Kiwoom Heroes during the club's KBO regular-season game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on April 23. [NC DINOS]

“Then our first base coach put out his hand to do a high five, and that's when I realized I hit it out,” Ko said. “But I kept running hard because I was so excited.”

Ko had gone 0-for-3 with a walk in his three previous games before the trip to the minors. He said he lacked his usual aggression at the plate, and he also needed to work on his outfield defense.

“I'm really grateful for this opportunity,” Ko said. “I know other rookies were getting all the attention here, but I wasn't jealous. I just wanted to do whatever I could to catch them.”

Ko said he would like to be remembered as a feisty player who battles hard for his team.

“I absolutely hate losing to pitchers when I am in the box. I'm a competitive guy,” Ko said. “I have a lot of work to do on defense, and I will try to become a better outfielder.”

Ko Jun-hwi of the NC Dinos runs to first base after hitting a single against the Kiwoom Heroes during the club's KBO regular-season game at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on April 23. [NC DINOS]

Ko said his favorite player growing up was former Heroes star and current San Francisco Giants outfielder Lee Jung-hoo.

“He is such an accomplished hitter and a complete outfielder,” Ko said of the 2022 KBO MVP and a two-time batting champion. “Watching him play in the majors is a huge source of motivation for me.”

Asked if there were any particular KBO pitcher he'd like to get a hit off, Ko didn't name an All-Star or a well-known veteran but his fellow rookie former high school teammate, Park Ji-hun of the KT Wiz.

“I used to handle him pretty well in high school when we played scrimmages, but I've been struggling against him as a pro,” Ko said of their duels in the preseason and in the minors. “He's been teasing me so much, and now it's time for payback.”

Yonhap