'KT's top rookie' Lee Kang-min excluded from starting lineup, Manager Lee Kang-cheol: "For management reasons; the opposing starter is extremely strong against left-handed batters" [Incheon field]

*This content was translated by AI.

This season's hit product for KT Wiz, rookie Lee Kang-min (19), was excluded from the starting lineup. It was not due to injury or poor performance. It was a consideration to allow the rookie, in his first professional season, to rest.

On the 24th, at Incheon SSG Landers Field for the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game against SSG Landers, KT arranged the batting order as follows: Choi Won-jun (right fielder), Kim Min-hyeok (left fielder), Kim Hyun-soo (first baseman), Jang Seong-woo (designated hitter), Sam Heilery (center fielder), Oh Yun-seok (third baseman), Kim Sang-soo (second baseman), Kang Hyun-woo (catcher), and Kwon Dong-jin (shortstop).

The biggest change was the exclusion of Lee Kang-min. Lee Kang-min, a left-handed hitting infielder who graduated from Yushin High School, was selected by KT in the second round, 16th overall, of the rookie draft and has been performing exceptionally well since his first season.

He has appeared in all 22 games played by the team, recording a batting average of 0.250 (18 hits in 72 at-bats), 11 RBIs, and 7 runs scored. While his on-base percentage of 0.276, slugging percentage of 0.264, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.540 may suggest limited production, he has shown clutch instincts by hitting powerfully at the 0.400 batting average (8 hits in 20 at-bats) with runners in scoring position.

He has also played 22 games and 175 innings defensively, logging the most innings among the team's infielders.

Although Lee Kang-min has been fulfilling his role well, he is resting today. Manager Lee Kang-cheol stated, "We are trying to manage him carefully. We cannot afford to have any more injured players."

This decision was also based on data. Today, SSG started Kim Geon-woo, who collapsed after giving up four runs in just 1⅓ innings, except for the the 4th game against Lotte Giants where he performed his share well in the starting rotation and secured two wins.

Although he is a left-handed pitcher, his batting average against against left-handed batters is only 0.189 (7 hits allowed in 37 at-bats). Manager Lee said, "SSG's pitcher is a lefty, and they say he is extremely strong against left-handed batters. He makes left-handed batters hit and his changeup is so good. However, they couldn't handle the left-handed pitcher's changeup well. I thought it would be better to let him rest for one day this time."

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

*This content was translated by AI.