"One out full base curve-curve" Lotte 1R rookie Kang Shim-bo failed to win his first win in Ulsan. "The most confident pitch type... I was going to enjoy it"

*This content was translated by AI.

Lotte Giants rookie Shin Dong-gun (19) showed a strong heart from his first professional debut.

Shin Dong-gun is a right-handed uta prospect who joined Lotte as the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2026 KBO rookie draft after graduating from Suyu Elementary School, Jayang Middle School and Dongsan High School. At the time of the nomination, Lotte said, "Shin Dong-gun is a pitcher with strikeout ability by using fastball, breaking balls, and large curves from high RBIs based on excellent physical conditions. It is expected to grow as a starting resource in the future," he said, explaining the reason for the nomination.

In particular, curves that fall into different trajectories at that time have been evaluated as a game type that can work in the Major League since the second grade. In addition, as the third grade gained strength, the fastball speed increased, and the power of the curve doubled. It was one of the reasons why he received the most attention at the World Under-18 Baseball World Cup held in September last year.

In the opening game of the 2026 MediHill KBO Futures League against Ulsan Wales at Munsu Baseball Stadium in Ulsan on the 20th, we could get a little glimpse of the true value of the curve. It was the first game between the opponent team Ulsan and Wales. More than 7,000 spectators, including Ulsan Mayor and KBO President Koo Hu-yeon, flocked to the start of the KBO's first civic team. Nevertheless, Lotte, which had been leading the game by pitching and hitting all the time, faced a full base crisis with one out in the bottom of the eighth inning with a 3-0 lead.

Shin Dong-gun, who took the mound at this time, faced Choi Bo-sung from the NC Dinos and Alex Hall, the fourth batter of the Australian national team, with four home runs in the World Baseball Classic (WBC). However, Shin Dong-gun did not shrink and caught the out count by putting in curves in succession even with the bases loaded. Usually, the curve is difficult to choose in the danger of being bound and flowing backward in a full base situation, but Shin Dong-gun sprayed it bravely.

The result was a grounder to shortstop and a grounder to second base. It was the moment when a high school graduate rookie stopped the bases loaded with one out against veteran batters with the least number of runs in his first appearance.

Shin Dong-gun, who met with reporters after the game, said, "I was nervous because it was my first time, but it was fun. I think I enjoyed it, too. The pitch I'm most confident in is a curveball, so I threw it in a crisis. I'm glad it led to a good result," he said. He then said, "I threw it boldly. He stressed that he had confidence and believed in (Park) Jae-yeop, so I never thought he would fall out.

Shin Dong-gun's track record last winter was one of Lotte fans' small concerns. Unlike other rookies who gradually appeared from spring camp to exhibition games, Shin Dong-gun was not seen. There was also a sudden injury issue.

In response, Shin Dong-gun said, "I wasn't sick. It was because my body wasn't complete yet. I did a lot of weight training and ran a lot. I heard there was a lack of stamina, so I prepared mainly for my physical strength." He said, "Now my body is complete, so I'm looking for balance little by little. I was disappointed (because I couldn't go to the Japanese camp), but I wasn't disappointed. I'm doing it with the thought of working harder," he said with strength.

Shin Dong-gun's main weapon is a fast ball and curve of up to 150 kilometers per hour, but it is considered a lumber that can be played by starting pitchers depending on whether they develop the third and fourth pitches in the future. He has already thrown 148 kilometers per hour this winter. Shin Dong-gun said, "There may be fans who are disappointed that they are not in trial games or first-team camps. But I won't let you wait that long. I will quickly go to the first team and show you a good performance," he said, expressing his strong ambition.

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.