"Let's do a special hit for seniors."' Have you ever seen such a daring rookie? You're making fun of a seven-year-old senior military officer... Director Lee Kang-chul's eyes are dripping with honey

*This content was translated by AI.

It's good to see the honey dripping from the eyes of KT Wiz coach Lee Kang-chul (60). Lee Kang-min (19) and Kim Gun-hwi (19) 2026 rookie duo are making KT officials smile.

KT is holding a spring camp in Geelong, Australia from the 25th of last month to February 24. However, according to KT team officials, the beach park near the accommodation is noisy recently. It was because of infielders Lee Kang-min and Kim Gun-hwi, who were designated as the 16th overall in the second round of the 2026 KBO Rookie Draft, and reserve Ryu Hyun-in (26), who returned from the Futures batting king last year.

Currently, the three volunteered to train at night after dinner until dusk. The training itself is simple with shadow swing repetitive training and defensive training to deal with bound balls after throwing the ball to an empty wall.

It is also the most necessary and necessary training for players who have not experienced many first-team stages like these. It is also a process in which many players feel bored and neglect because they have to learn from the body through repeated training. Nevertheless, KT's first-team manager explains that these three are the most eager to train autonomously during the camp.

Proudly, this self-training was created by rookie Lee Kang-min first enticing a friend with a seven-year-old senior military officer. Since Yoo Shin-go, he has been steadily playing shortstop and has been recognized for his defensive skills, and he also made Lee Kang-chul smile on his face in the last closing camp. Rookie fielders who are praised by coach Lee, who highly values defense based on fielders' first-team call-ups, do not come out easily.

Lee Kang-min said through the club, "When I came to the Australian camp as a starter, I started self-training in the parking lot with my brother Ryu Hyun-in. When there was no night training, Hyun-in (Ryu) suggested to his brother and (Kim) Gun-hwi first. I'm constantly playing baseball because it's fun and I want to do well," he said.

With five rookies participating in this camp, Lee Kang-min and Kim Gun-hwi are the only fielders born in 2007. Lee Kang-min said, "Training is more efficient when done with a comfortable person. "Seeing (Kim) Gun-hwi working hard also motivates me to do more," he said. "Coach Park Ki-hyuk told me to do it slowly and accurately so I'm paying attention to that."

Lee Kang-min is a shortstop resource who is praised for his stable and sensible defense to the extent that it reminds him of the active days of Samsung Lions coach Park Jin-man (50). Lee Chung-moo, head of KT's scout team, told Star News on the phone last year, "Lee Kang-min was a professional shortstop when he was reported to Korea. "I don't make too many mistakes with good shoulders and stable handling to play shortstop," he said.

"Lee Kang-min's defense is a type that can be viewed comfortably because he is quick to judge batting." Although it is not flashy, it can be said that it is similar to Park Jin-man's stable appearance when he was active. Coach Park Jin-man also added, "He's not fast, but he showed a fast batting judgment and smart defense, and (Lee) Kang-min is like that."

The defense was recognized in the field as well. Park Kyung-soo (42), a former high school shortstop and first-team running coach who won KT's first championship with stable defense, was one of them. Coach Park Kyung-soo recently expressed expectations by delivering his glove to Lee Kang-min himself.

Lee Kang-min said, "Coach Park Kyung-soo praised me, 'No one has this skill at 19 years old,' and gave me the training glove he used. Unlike for the game, it is difficult to catch the ball because the finger part is short. It helps me train accurately," he said, expressing his gratitude.

It was Lee Kang-min during Yoo Shin-go that not only the defense stood out, but also showed promise in hitting. He has played since his freshman year at the prestigious Yushin High School, and in his junior year, he hit .351 (33 hits in 94 at-bats), one home run, 18 RBIs, 23 runs and seven steals, 16 strikeouts on 16 walks, and a 0.465 slugging percentage of 0.500.

Lee Chung-moo, head of the scout team, also said, "In fact, (Lee) Kang-min was a little hidden by Shin Jae-in and Oh Jae-won in high school. However, it was Kangmin who always had an RBI when he was critical as the fourth batter. His body is strong and strong compared to his size, so he knows how to put on weight," he said.

Don't aim high from the start. This year, KT failed to reinforce shortstop and started competition among internal resources again. Lee Kang-min is one of them. Lee Kang-min said, "As a defender, if the ball goes toward me, I want to become a player who thinks, 'Oh, it's done' on the bench."

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*This content was translated by AI.