*This content was translated by AI.
A high school graduate rookie confidently challenged the KT Wiz infield, which consists of former national team members.
On the 26th, the KT team conducted 2026 KT spring camp training at Kushikawa Baseball Stadium in Uruma, Okinawa Prefecture, Japan.
After a simple warm-up, an unusual infield group stood out while conducting a defensive PFP (Pitchers Fielding Practice). A young-looking player shouted fighting between third baseman Huh Kyung-min (36) and second baseman Kim Sang-soo (36). Transfer student Kim Hyun-soo (38) received a throw to the first base. The main character of the young face is Lee Kang-min (19), who was nominated by KT as the 16th overall in the second round of the 2026 KBO rookie draft.
Lee Kang-min, who met with reporters after training, said, "I have senior (Heo) Kyung-min on my right and senior (Kim) Sang-soo on my left, but I have no sense of reality. But it's a great honor for the seniors to come forward and let me know and take care of me. I'm trying to get closer and having a good time," he said.
In order for shortstop to handle unpredictable hits stably, it is also important to receive them. In this regard, Kim Hyun-soo, who will start professional first baseman this year, was a passing point. Lee Kang-min said, "When Kim Hyun-soo is standing on the first base, throwing is stable. First of all, it's easier to catch a target and it's good for throwing. I can play more comfortably because I have faith in the first baseman," he said.
He has been a professional shortstop since his days as a Yushin High School. It was evaluated that Park Jin-man (50), the head coach of the Samsung Lions, is reminded of his active days with fast batting judgment and stable handling. KT coach Lee Kang-chul (60), who is strict in evaluating defense, also praised him every day since last year's closing camp.
Director Lee Kang-chul worried, "I think the kids don't like it because they complimented it too much," but added, "In fact, it stands out that much. (I)Kangmin has the ability to be a good beast, so I think he will use it well. I won't give any more compliments," he said.
In response to the continued praise, Lee Kang-min said, "I never thought I was good at defense. I'm trying to fix it because there were a lot of shortcomings. I try to work harder by motivating the good words I hear next to me," he said with strength. "Certainly, a professional feels completely different from a high school. The power of the ball was different, and the coach also made me practice catching fast balls. He added, "Since I'm a rookie, I'm going to move faster and try to be a rookie."
KT has many good mentors. National team members, defensive coach Park Ki-hyuk (45), and role model Park Kyung-soo (42), are raising 19-year-old shortstop with one mind. Lee Kang-min said, "Coaches always say, 'You're fast enough even if you take your time, so do it stably, try to hug the ball.' My goal is to become a player who anyone can think of as an out with confidence when the ball comes to me. So, we are moving toward reducing mistakes as much as possible," he explained.
However, when he was a Yushin High School, shortstop Lee Kang-min was the type to take a wide range with active defense, such as trying to catch a backhand. In response, Lee Kang-min said, "I've practiced such batting a lot since practice, so it's rather fun when I come to the game. As soon as the ball hits, I have a feeling of what to do. When the ball I practiced comes, it's more fun and I'm going to actively catch it," he said with a smile.
The reason why it is difficult for high school fielders to be in the first team is that they must have both offense and defense. Lee Kang-min is expected to register as a first-team entry from his first year of debut because there is an expectation that he will do some hitting as well as defense.
In fact, Lee Kang-min showed potential with a batting average of 0.351 (33 hits in 94 at-bats) in 28 games as a senior, one home run, 18 RBIs, 23 runs and 7 steals, 16 strikeouts on 16 walks, and an on-base percentage of 0.465 slugging percentage of 0.500. In the same year, shortstop Lee Kang-min was in charge of No. 4 in the batting lineup with Shin Jae-in (19, NC Dinos) and Oh Jae-won (19, Hanwha Eagles), who were nominated in the second and third overall rookie draft.
Lee Kang-min said, "I am confident in hitting, but there is a process of adapting to the ball of a professional. Huh Kyung-min also told me, 'I'm going to fail a lot in the future. But I did too and every player had that process, so it should be fine. You're still doing great. It helps that you say, 'So keep bumping into it,'" he said sincerely.
Then, he said, "Hitting coach Yoo Han-joon also puts a lot of importance on the mental part. He told me, 'Don't try to look too good, don't try to hit well, but go into the batter's box with the mindset of challenging every batter's box. So I'm doing it with the mindset that I have nothing to lose peacefully, and it's being established," he said.
It is Lee Kang-min who is gradually developing a professional mind mentally as well. Asked if it was burdensome for articles to continue pouring out even though he was a rookie, he said, "Actually, I have a burden, but I have to overcome it. That's how you can become a superstar," he said shyly.
Lee Kang-min, holding his heart together, said, "Thank you so much for expecting a lot even before the season. I also think I should do well to meet that expectation. I will do well so that fans can have a little more fun when watching baseball," he said.
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*This content was translated by AI.
