'Oh, another generation has passed!' Shortstop Choi Jung, slowly stepping down from third base → SSG Manager Lee Seung-yong: "Will use Go Myeong-jun at third base after calling him up"

*This content was translated by AI.

Choi Jung (39), an infielder who symbolized Incheon baseball and was known as the "Shortstop King," dominating a generation of professional baseball, is gradually preparing to step down from the third base position. SSG manager Lee Seung-yong (55) has identified Go Myeong-jun (24) as the future mainstay at the hot corner in preparation for the "Cheongna Dome Era" beginning in the 2028 season, signaling the start of a generational transition.

Manager Lee Seung-yong of SSG met with reporters ahead of the home game against Lotte Giants at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 16th and announced news about Go Myeong-jun, who has returned from injury and is playing in the Futures League (minor league).

Manager Lee stated, "Go Myeong-jun will be called up to the first division tomorrow (17th). He has gone through about 20 plate appearances in the minor league (Futures League) to fine-tune his game readiness, so we plan to bring him up to the first division and utilize him." Particularly noteworthy is his position. Manager Lee declared, "When Go Myeong-jun comes up, we intend to use him at third base."

For a long time, the third base position at SSG was undoubtedly Choi Jung's. Even this season, he has demonstrated his enduring power-hitting ability with 16 home runs, anchoring the team's core, but by the 2027 season, he will be approaching the age of 40. Given the team's future and the need to manage Choi Jung's physical condition, preparing a long-term alternative has become urgent. Choi Jung's contract with SSG expires after the 2028 season.

Manager Lee Seung-yong made the decision to reduce Choi Jung's defensive burden and maximize his hitting ability. Manager Lee said, "Rather than continuing to burden Choi Jung with third base duties, it is not a bad idea to let him focus more on hitting. We must move forward assuming that Choi Jung will not be able to play full-time at third base next year either."

Originally, the experiment of using Go Myeong-jun at third base was scheduled to begin in the latter half of this season or from the 2027 season. Manager Lee explained, "We planned to have Go Myeong-jun play about 20 games at third base this season to prepare for next year, but considering Choi Jung's physical condition and various variables, we decided to advance that plan slightly."

For Go Myeong-jun, who has primarily played first base this season, third base is not an unfamiliar position. He has consistently participated in third base defensive training since spring camp, and he was originally a third baseman during his amateur days. Manager Lee expressed confidence in Go Myeong-jun's defensive adaptation, stating, "He has done a lot of defensive practice since camp, and since he was originally a third baseman, third base might be more comfortable for him than first base."

However, the plan is not to keep Choi Jung exclusively as a designated hitter. Manager Lee added, "To prevent overloading the team's position players, we aim to avoid a full-time designated hitter system as much as possible. While we need to monitor Choi Jung's physical condition, he should play defense in about two games per week so that other players like Go Myeong-jun, Jeon Ui-san, Han Yu-seom, and Kim Jae-hwan can be utilized as designated hitters on a rotating basis."

Choi Jung's departure from third base, after dominating a generation of Incheon baseball, brings a sense of regret and emotion to KBO League fans. This is because he has been the recipient of the Golden Glove award at third base an impressive eight times. However, the passage of time is an inevitable trend. It remains to be seen whether Manager Lee Seung-yong's "Go Myeong-jun at third base" card will beautifully support Choi Jung's last dance and become a decisive move that illuminates SSG's future.

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*This content was translated by AI.