'This is faith-based baseball,' the manager who covered up the mistake → 'Again' repaid with a home run, '30-home run pace,' Yang Eui-ji and Kang Min-ho: A giant catching duo is emerging

*This content was translated by AI.

The day before, a fatal mistake cost the team runs, and they lost by a single run. Nevertheless, the manager showed full trust, and the player delivered a perfect performance on both offense and defense, bringing a victory to the team.

Heo In-seo (23), who is establishing himself as the starting catcher for the Hanwha Eagles, started as the sixth hitter and catcher in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League road game against the Kiwoom Heroes held at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 14th. He went 3-for-5 with three RBIs, two runs scored, and a two-run home run.

As a catcher, he also led the pitching staff to a strong performance allowing only one run, helping the team secure a 10-1 blowout victory.

Heo In-seo, who attended Hyochon High School, was a promising talent who won the 2021 Lim Man-soo Catcher Award. He joined the Hanwha Eagles in the second round of the 2022 rookie draft and, after his first season, entered the military service at the Army Sports Promotion Team (Marine Corps) to fulfill his military obligation. Because there was an established starter, Choi Jae-hoon, Hanwha quickly arranged for Heo In-seo to resolve his military issue. It was to prepare for the future.

However, no one expected his potential to be unleashed to this extent. He had not shown such a strong impact even in the Futures League.

There are still many areas that need improvement. His lack of experience was clearly exposed in the game against Kiwoom on the 13th. Starting as the catcher, Heo In-seo committed a fatal error in the bottom of the 1st inning with one out and runners on second and third base while the team was trailing 0-1. After receiving a pitch from starting pitcher Will Hernandez, an inaccurate throw was made during the exchange. The ball slipped past Hernandez, and shortstop Sim Woo-jun, who did not expect such a mistake, failed to react quickly, resulting in an additional run.

Even after Hernandez was relieved in the top of the 4th inning with two outs, the relief pitchers pitched scoreless innings, but the team ultimately lost 2-3. This made the scene of the error in the 1st inning even more painful to reflect on.

However, manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) did not scold the young catcher. Speaking to reporters before the game on the 14th, Manager Kim said, "It's all about experience. (Heo) In-seo is catching for the first time in his professional career, and catching is a position where blocking and various errors can occur. It would have been better if that play hadn't happened, but I hope In-seo becomes a better catcher through this experience."

As usual, Heo In-seo started as the sixth hitter and catcher. He smartly guided starting pitcher Jung Woo-ju to a strong performance of four innings with one run allowed. He also worked well with the relief pitchers that followed, helping the team win without allowing any additional runs.

His performance at the plate was even more brilliant. In the 2nd inning, he hit a go-ahead single to left field against An Woo-jin, giving up the first run. Like Noh Si-hwan, he targeted the first pitch, but unlike Noh Si-hwan, who hit a ball that was moved to the middle, he turned a slider on the lower part of the zone into a hit.

Heo In-seo, who had struck out in the 4th inning and grounded out to left field in the 6th, hit a single to left field in the 8th inning with one out and a runner on first base, contributing to an additional run and scoring on Lee Do-yoon's triple to third base.

The 9th inning was the highlight of his batting. With the team leading 8-1, in the bottom of the 9th inning with one out and a runner on second base, he smashed Kiwoom pitcher Kim Yun-ha's 133 km/h slider, hitting a massive two-run home run with a distance of 125 meters, completing a double-digit run victory. This was his 8th home run of the season. In just 31 games and 92 plate appearances, he has already tied with Kang Baek-ho for the team lead in home runs.

Although Heo In-seo has played in 31 games this season, he has not had many plate appearances due to being behind starting catcher Choi Jae-hoon. However, he has been starting consistently recently. In particular, in the 10th games played in May, he posted a batting average of 0.487 (39 at-bats, 19 hits), 6 home runs, 18 RBIs, 14 runs scored, an on-base percentage of 0.535, a slugging percentage of 1.000, and an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.535, making a relentless charge toward the Monthly Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Heo In-seo could not ignore the error from the previous day. He said, "Yesterday, the team gave up a run due to an error in the 1st inning, and the game flow went poorly. We ultimately lost by one run, which was even more disappointing. I even myself when I returned to the hotel." However, he added, "Today, I tried to prepare as usual. The manager also told me that it was a situation where I could gain enough experience and to have confidence."

Steadfast belief became the motivation to rise without giving up. Heo In-seo smiled and said, "There are still so many games left in the season, so I am cautious, but I didn't expect to perform this well. I think the better results are coming because I am focusing on every plate appearance and playing the game."

He is also aiming to break meaningful records. The franchise record for most home runs by a catcher is 21, set by former Hanwha manager Yoo Seung-an during his time with Binggrae in 1989. If he maintains his current pace, it seems entirely possible to break this record.

Heo In-seo said, "I don't even think about it at all. Since I just focus on one plate appearance at a time, I don't think about the distant future, so it doesn't bother me much."

However, his potential seems to extend even further. In 31 games this season, he has posted a batting average of 0.316 (79 at-bats, 25 hits), 8 home runs, 25 RBIs, 21 runs scored, an on-base percentage of 0.385, a slugging percentage of 0.646, an OPS of 1.031, and a batting average with runners in scoring position of 0.471, leaving a strong impression. Despite fewer plate appearances, he has tied for 1st on the team in home runs and 3rd in RBIs. His OPS is even higher than that of Kang Baek-ho, the league's RBI leader (0.974).

Among active players, he shows potential comparable to Kang Min-ho (Samsung) and Yang Eui-ji (Doosan). Expanding the scope, he has the potential of a power-hitting catcher like Lim Man-soo and Park Kyung-wan. He is on a pace for over 30 home runs.

Nevertheless, he tries not to get carried away. Since it is his first full season, the more games he plays, the greater the physical burden will be, and opponents' analysis will inevitably become more thorough. Heo In-seo said, "I feel good, but if I focus only on that, I think my baseball won't go well either, so I try not to worry about it too much."

This attitude also fuels expectations that Heo In-seo's performance will not be a fleeting spark but will continue.

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*This content was translated by AI.