'With' Hanwha, Heo In-seo truly got lucky! A 23-year-old catcher on the verge of the OPS top 10... He hit three hits in one game but still said, "I've never hit four hits in a game; I'll try to do it." [Daejeon on-site]

*This content was translated by AI.

Leading his team to victory with outstanding performance on both offense and defense, Hanwha Eagles catcher Heo In-seo (23) thrilled fans with his tireless drive for improvement.

On the 9th, Heo In-seo started as the cleanup hitter and catcher in Hanwha's home game against the LG Twins at DaejeonHanwhaLifeBallPark in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season. He recorded 5 at-bats, 3 hits, 1 RBI, 1 strikeout, and 3 runs scored, leading Hanwha to an 11-3 victory. With this win, Hanwha, which had split the first home series against LG this year with one win and one loss, maintained its 8th-place position in the league with 15 wins and 20 losses. LG, with 22 wins and 13 losses, stumbled.

At least for Heo In-seo, there were no lingering effects from the grueling five-hour-and-five-minute battle the previous day (the 8th). Moreover, despite the physically demanding position of catcher, his bat swung fiercely whenever he stepped into the batter's box. After starting with a strikeout in his first at-bat, Heo In-seo drove an outside-breaking forkball from Yoni Chirinos with technical precision in the bottom of the fourth inning with one out and a runner on first, resulting in a single to left field.

In the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs and a runner on first, he drove a 153 km/h fastball from Bae Jae-jun squarely, sending it crashing into the right-field monster wall. LG right fielder Lee Jae-won jumped to make a catch, but it was in vain. Meanwhile, first baseman Kang Baek-ho crossed home plate, resulting in a two-run double for Heo In-seo. Heo In-seo also scored when Kim Tae-yeon hit a single to center field. In his final at-bat of the seventh inning, Heo In-seo reached base with a single to left field, completing his second three-hit game of the year.

After the game, Heo In-seo said, "Yesterday's tough game could have dampened the team's mood. I'm glad we could win this game. While I'm happy about my personal three-hit performance, I'm even happier that the team won."

Heo In-seo, a right-handed batter and right-handed catcher, joined Hanwha as the 11th pick in the second round of the second phase of the 2022 KBO Rookie Draft after graduating from Suncheon North Elementary, Yeosu Middle School, and Hyochon High School. He was praised for significantly improving his skills while serving in the National Military Band (Army), and this year, in his fifth season with the team, he has received the most opportunities with 28 games played and 79 at-bats.

In response, Heo In-seo said, "When I step onto the field, I play with the mindset of being a starter, but outside the stadium, I feel there is still much I lack. With many games remaining, I am doing my best with the mindset of learning from each game rather than thinking of myself as a starter."

His performance in his first full-time season is truly remarkable. With a batting average of 0.273 (18 hits in 66 at-bats), 6 home runs, 20 RBIs, and 17 runs scored in 28 games, his OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 0.935 is clearly the best among catchers. Even without limiting the position, his achievements are impressive. Although he has not yet reached the required plate appearances (108 at-bats), among players with at least 70 at-bats, he is ranked 11th in the league, putting him on the verge of breaking into the top 10.

In the KBO League environment where it is difficult to find a young starting catcher, the fact that Heo In-seo, only 23 years old, has already made a name for himself can only be seen as Hanwha truly getting lucky. His insatiable drive for improvement continues to raise expectations for Heo In-seo. Heo In-seo stated firmly, "I feel a bit tired after a game, but I feel fine the next day. Since I am still young, I have no physical problems."

He added, "I prioritize contributing to the team over hitting home runs. I've hit three hits in a game, but I haven't hit four yet. I aim to hit four hits in a single game."

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*This content was translated by AI.