After struggling with an unstable bullpen early in the season, the Hanwha Eagles of the KBO League are finding their rhythm through a barrage of home runs.
On May 12 at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Hanwha defeated the Kiwoom Heroes 11-5, powered by Noh Si-hwan’s grand slam and Kang Baek-ho’s solo homer. Noh’s first-inning grand slam proved decisive, setting the tone for the victory.
Noh, who had been sent down to the second team due to poor swing mechanics, has been on a tear since returning to the roster on April 23. In 17 games, he has recorded eight multi-hit games and smashed seven home runs, energizing Hanwha’s lineup.
Kang Baek-ho, signed as a free agent for up to 10 billion won over four years, leads the team with eight home runs. Noh Si-hwan, Moon Hyun-bin, and catcher Heo In-seo each have seven, while foreign slugger Yonatan Ferazza has added six. The five players are nearly on pace to reach double-digit homers simultaneously.
Last season, Hanwha relied on its “Ponwa” duo—Cody Ponce and Ryan Weiss—as the primary pitching tandem. This year, the team’s identity has shifted dramatically, with young power hitters producing a home run explosion. Through 37 games, Hanwha’s team home run total has jumped from 28 last year to 42 this season, a 50% increase.
Last season at this point, Noh Si-hwan (10 homers) and Moon Hyun-bin (6) led the charge. Now, a multi-player competition has fueled the surge. After the May 12 game, Kang said, “We don’t think of it as a competition. We just share tips when someone hits well. I believe friendly competition will lead to even better results.”
The synergy between No. 4 hitter Kang and No. 5 hitter Noh is particularly evident. Kang leads the league in RBIs with 41, while Noh, who has heated up later, has driven in 24 runs.
“Kang is hitting so well that opposing pitchers avoid him, which gives me more opportunities in scoring position,” Noh said. “The synergy is working well. I’m grateful to him for setting the table for me.”
Noh also expressed comfort in the No. 5 spot: “I used to have pride as the cleanup hitter, but No. 5 feels easier. Thanks to Kang, I’m getting chances, and I’m comfortable there. I’m hitting well, so there’s no need to change the order.”
A surprise contributor is Heo In-seo, a fifth-year catcher who had never hit a home run before this season. He has already belted seven, including five against the Samsung Lions, earning the nickname “Lion Killer.” Ferazza, who hit 24 homers two years ago, is also in strong form, with improved batting average, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage.
If the young hitters maintain their current momentum, Hanwha is poised to surpass last season’s team total of 116 home runs. The number of players reaching 20 homers—achieved only by Noh (32) last year—is also expected to grow.