Hanwha Eagles’ Noh Si-hwan Demoted to Second Team With Salary Cut

Hanwha Eagles starting third baseman Roh Si-hwan was removed from the first-team roster on April 13, 2026, after struggling through the first 13 games of the regular season. The 25-year-old slugger has been sent to the team’s affiliate in the Futures League, where he must spend a minimum of 10 days away from the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club.

The decision comes following a significant slump at the plate and inconsistent play in the field. Roh appeared in all 13 games of the season but managed a .145 batting average, recording only eight hits in 55 at-bats with three runs batted in. His struggles were highlighted by 21 strikeouts and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 0.394.

Roh’s offensive decline became more pronounced in the days leading up to his demotion, as he went 0-for-14 over his final four games. These difficulties led the Hanwha coaching staff to drop him from his initial position as the cleanup hitter to the No. 6 spot in the batting order for his last two contests.

Financial Impact of Demotion

Due to specific KBO regulations, Roh’s demotion carries a direct financial penalty. Under league rules designed to protect clubs, players earning 300 million won or more who are removed from the first-team roster do not collect their full agreed salary.

Roh, who earns an annual salary of 1 billion won for the current season, is losing approximately 1.66 million won in pay for every day he remains off the first-team roster.

This financial hit follows the signing of a record-breaking contract in February. Roh signed an 11-year deal with the Hanwha Eagles worth a total of 30.7 billion won, marking the longest and most expensive contract in the history of the KBO League.

Performance and Defensive Struggles

Beyond his hitting slump, Roh struggled defensively at the hot corner, committing three errors during his brief tenure on the first-team roster this season. The Hanwha Eagles management determined that the player needed time to reset and work on his game in the minor leagues.

The demotion is a sharp contrast to Roh’s performance in 2025, during which he set new career highs with 32 home runs and 14 steals. He also matched his single-season best with 101 RBIs, contributing to the Eagles reaching the Korean Series for the first time in 19 years.

Roh is an eight-year veteran of the league and represented South Korea at the World Baseball Classic in March 2026 before the start of the current season.

Team Standing and Outlook

Despite the struggles of their franchise star, the Hanwha Eagles have maintained a strong offensive presence early in the season. The team currently ranks second in the KBO with 86 runs scored and third in the league with a .279 batting average and 13 home runs.

Roh last played in the Futures League in 2021 during an injury rehab assignment. The organization hopes that this stint in the minor leagues will allow the slugger to rediscover his rhythm before returning to the top squad.