KIA’s Hwang Dong-ha: The Rising Ace with 3 Consecutive Quality Starts – What’s Next?

Translation result ▲ On May 14 in Gwangju, Hwang Dong-ha recorded another quality start, steering KIA to a win and a series victory ⓒKIA Tigers

[SPOTV News=Gwangju, Reporter Kim Tae-woo] Since debuting with KIA’s first team in 2023, 24-year-old Hwang Dong-ha has been a reliable piece on the club’s mound, filling roles as a starter, long reliever and spot starter.

For a young player, simply sticking on the first-team roster was an accomplishment. But because Hwang consistently handled key duties, he settled into that rhythm. After the May 14 game in Gwangju, he said, “Back then I was rotating as a spot starter and figured if I threw about five innings, the bullpen would handle the rest. I did what I could, and I was satisfied with four or five innings.”

At the time, manager Lee Beom-ho gave blunt advice: “You don’t seem to have enough ambition.” Hwang recalled, “When the manager said that, I didn’t think much of it and wondered, ‘Am I really not ambitious?’ ” Lee’s remark covered several meanings — the desire to attack within games, ambition for a defined role, and the hunger to earn a regular spot in the rotation.

Lee wanted him to push deeper into games and not be content as a spot starter or roster placeholder. When another opportunity came around, Hwang finally understood. “When I got the chance to start this time, I wanted to be ambitious,” he said. “I wanted to carry the innings and see what I could do.”

▲ Since earning a starting role, Hwang has delivered three straight quality starts and three consecutive wins, announcing himself as a force in the rotation ⓒKIA Tigers

Hwang began the season as a long reliever, but when Kim Tae-hyung struggled early in the rotation, Hwang was inserted into the starting spot. Determined to seize this second chance, he changed his approach. On May 2 against KT he threw seven scoreless innings. On May 8 versus Lotte he went six innings and allowed one run. On May 14 in Gwangju against Doosan, he worked six innings, gave up seven hits (two homers) and three runs to lead KIA to a 5–3 victory. That marks three straight starts with wins and three consecutive quality starts (at least six innings and three earned runs or fewer). He’s emerged as KIA’s de facto ace.

His aggressiveness and assertiveness on the mound stood out. Although Yang Eui-ji hit two homers and accounted for all three earned runs, Hwang’s performance otherwise had few flaws. He sped up the tempo and kept his approach simple. Adopting a “just swing” mentality, he attacked hitters and got better results for it.

“I was getting into good shape when the starting chance came,” Hwang said. “I clear my head and just compete with the hitter. I focus on throwing strikes. I let hitters put the ball in play—the more pitches, the more the defense has to work, and that helps keep the tempo up. I feel a strong responsibility to throw strikes and go deeper into games.”

▲ Hwang has translated manager Lee’s advice to “be ambitious” into results on the mound ⓒKIA Tigers

After the game, Lee praised him: “Hwang delivered a quality start and did his job as a starter. He’s tossed at least six innings in three straight games and is one pillar of our rotation.” Hwang said he wants to push even harder. Having fought for this opportunity, he doesn’t plan to give it up — he wants to be a starter who carries games.

Hwang threw 97 pitches on May 2 against KT, 75 pitches on May 8 versus Lotte, and 85 pitches over six innings on May 14. He took the mound in the seventh inning on the 14th but gave up a homer to Yang Eui-ji and was pulled — a moment that still stings. In the past he might have been satisfied after six innings, but that new ambition won’t let him settle.

“I want more innings,” Hwang said. “In the May 8 game I was pulled around 70–75 pitches and felt a bit disappointed. If I’d been truly overpowering hitters, they wouldn’t have pulled me, and I probably would have gone deeper. I’ve set a new goal for myself.” With that hunger sharpening his work, Hwang looks ready to spark a shift in KIA’s starting rotation.

▲ Hwang Dong-ha is leading a shake-up in the club’s rotation and has emerged as the team’s recent de facto ace ⓒKIA Tigers