*This content was translated by AI.
"We all went out in front of our turn. They're really good players."
It was September last year. Shin Jae-in (19, NC Dinos), a rookie infielder from Yushin High School who was coveted by KT Wiz's "winning coach" Lee Kang-chul (60), watched nervously at a pharmacy during the rookie draft. He made a strong impact on the entire KBO league this season by decorating his first hit in his debut with a decisive two-run home run that toppled the Lotte Giants.
The story of Shin Jae-in's mention goes back to September 17 last year. Coach Lee Kang-chul, who met with reporters ahead of the match against Suwon LG at the time, revealed an interesting behind-the-scenes story. Coach Lee once introduced that he watched the results of the 2026 KBO rookie draft in real time through a smartphone while waiting at a pharmacy after hospital treatment.
In particular, Lee expressed deep regret by referring to two fielders from his hometown school, Yushin High School, infielder Shin Jae-in and outfielder Oh Jae-won (Hanwha Eagles). Coach Lee said, "The players who were selected second and third were the players our club was looking at on the list. Before our turn (6th place) came, everyone was nominated in the previous ranking."
In the end, Shin Jae-in was called by NC, and KT had to be satisfied with nominating pitcher Park Ji-hoon in the first round. It didn't take long for Shin Jae-in to prove why coach Lee Kang-chul was so disappointed at the time.
The season showdown with the Lotte Giants at Changwon NC Park on the 1st. a game in which a tight race continued. Shin Jae-in, who entered the batter's box with one out and one on the first base in the bottom of the eighth inning when his team was trailing 2-4, did not miss opposing pitcher Jung Cheol-won's actual pitch (130 km/h slider) and hit it with a sharp swing. The ball became a come-from-behind two-run home run over the left fence of Changwon Stadium. In the end, NC came from behind to win 5-4 in the ninth inning thanks to Kim Hwi-jip's pushing walk.
It was the moment when he made his first hit as a professional player with the most dramatic moment, "Lotte's sinking." Shin Jae-in, who has been recognized for his flexible handling and sophisticated hitting ability since high school, showed an overwhelming presence upon his professional debut, announcing the birth of a "large infielder."
NC's strategy of choosing Shin Jae-in without hesitation hit the mark. This is because Shin Jae-in gained a certain sense of power and future resources as soon as he needed to arrange the physical strength of the main players. In fact, he also showed potential with a batting average of 0.310 (9 hits in 29 at-bats) and one home run and three RBIs in 12 exhibition games.
On the other hand, even though KT had enough comfort by picking fellow infielder Lee Kang-min (19) Yushin High School in the second round, the home run hit by Shin Jae-in, which manager Lee Kang-chul had his eye on, was enough to evoke strange feelings for KT fans as well.
Shin Jae-in landed in the KBO League with an all-time impact. Attention is focusing on how far he will grow into a new leader leading the generational change of the NC infield, who proved that the "winning master" has not been wrong.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
