"Amazing" 19-year-old high school rookie finally got the starting shortstop for the opening game! Director Lee Kang-chul's passing point "The opening entry is not a problem."" [the site of a water source]

*This content was translated by AI.

KT Wiz high school graduate rookie Lee Kang-min (19) finally took the starting shortstop position in the opening game. KT coach Lee Kang-chul (60), who has a strict eye for the fielder, also received a passing score.

Asked by reporters whether Lee Kang-min will join the opening entry ahead of the 2026 KBO exhibition game against the LG Twins at Suwon KT Wiz Park on the 16th, head coach Lee Kang-chul said, "The opening entry is not a problem. I think I'll know even if I don't tell you. If Lee Kang-min is included, the four main fielders (Kim Hyun-soo, Choi Won-joon, Hilliard, and Lee Kang-min) are new."

It's a surprising result. Lee Kang-min is a right-handed uta infielder who joined KT as the 16th overall in the second round of the 2026 KBO rookie draft after graduating from Yushin High School. With its stable defense and rapid growth in contact, it has been well received since last year's Taiwan closing camp.

It was already predicted from the Okinawa spring camp in Japan. Despite being a rookie, Lee Kang-min trained in an infield group with third baseman Huh Kyung-min (36), second baseman Kim Sang-soo (36), and first baseman Kim Hyun-soo (38). In addition, Lee Kang-chul, who values defense in promoting the first team, was one of the players who consistently praised him, so the entry for the opening game was almost definitive.

However, as it was virtually confirmed as the main shortstop, the expectations peaked. Coach Lee Kang-chul said, "I thought about backing up the Australian camp first. With eight new main players, I feel sorry that last year's main players had to step back or leave the entry. Still, after the camp, it was organized on its own, but this year was the least answer," he said.

Of course, the competition is not over yet. Currently, KT is not able to win in the exhibition game as the players' conditions do not come up on time. The situation of four players, Ko Young-pyo, Soh Hyung-joon, Park Young-hyun and Ahn Hyun-min, who were assigned to the national team should also be checked.

Coach Lee Kang-chul said, "I think Ko Young-pyo is okay after watching the last game. My elbow seemed to be in bad shape, but I'm fine now. "We will discuss the other players when they join us tomorrow," he said.

On this day, KT formed a lineup of Bae Jeong-dae (center fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Sam Hilliard (left fielder), Jang Sung-woo (designated hitter), Heo Kyung-min (third baseman), Lee Kang-min (striker), Kim Sang-soo (second baseman), Han Seung-taek (catcher), and Yoo Jun-kyu (right fielder). The starting pitcher is Kwon Sung-joon.

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*This content was translated by AI.