"If you get greedy, you'll ruin it..." Jeon Min-jae hits a bases-loaded home run that becomes the go-ahead homer; Kim Tae-hyung gives an enthusiastic 'thumbs up'. Lotte eyes its 'power-hitting shortstop' reaching 20 home runs.

*This content was translated by AI.

Jeon Min-jae (27, Lotte Giants) is opening a new chapter in his career. The title of Lotte's power-hitting shortstop no longer feels unfamiliar.

On the 17th, Jeon Min-jae started as the sixth hitter and shortstop in the road game against SSG Landers at Incheon SSG Landers Field, hitting a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to lead his team to a 2-1 comeback victory.

With Lotte trailing 0-1, Jeon Min-jae stepped up to the plate with no outs and a runner on first base in the bottom of the sixth. Facing a 2-1 count, he crushed a 144 km/h high fastball, sending it over the left-field fence for a two-run home run.

This was his eighth home run of the season, marking his second consecutive game with a home run following a bases-loaded homer the previous day. It is his second career record of hitting home runs in three consecutive games, following his debut streak on the 19th, 21, and 22 against Hanwha and Samsung.

Previously known as a 'rifleman' with a career slugging percentage hovering in the mid-.300s and only seven career home runs over seven seasons until last year, Jeon Min-jae has shown a completely different trajectory this season. In 63 games, he has hit eight home runs. In Lotte, where the lineup power is weak, he ranks second only to Reyes (10 home runs) in home runs.

He was traded from Doosan in November 2024 along with Jung Cheol-won. Lotte sent Kim Min-seok, Choi Jae-hyun, and Choi Woo-in in return. While the trade initially seemed like a one-on-one swap between Jung Cheol-won and Kim Min-seok, Jeon Min-jae's impact is by no means inferior to either Jung or Kim.

Last year, he played 101 games with a.287 batting average, his career-best season. He also hit five home runs, his most since his debut, but this year he has already surpassed that record.

Before the game, manager Kim Tae-hyung explained the reason for Jeon's increased home runs: "He's hitting the ball at the right point, and it's going over. If we knew the definite secret, everyone would be hitting 30 home runs." He added, "If you get greedy like that, you could ruin yourself, but Jeon Min-jae has a clean, concise swing. He doesn't (consciously) take big swings or avoid them."

Even on this day, Jeon Min-jae produced a strong hit with a clean swing. He seemed to instinctively feel the ball wouldn't be a home run and looked down, but the ball soared over outfielder Kim Jae-hwan's glove and landed in the stands.

The defense also shone in the bottom of the ninth with one out and a runner on third. Manager Kim Tae-hyung played a defensive gamble by shifting the infield, and Jeon Min-jae cleanly fielded Jung Jun-jae's ground ball. Although the timing was slightly late to get the batter-runner out, he was able to hold the runner at third base, allowing him to finish the inning without allowing a run and ultimately secure the victory. He led the team to victory on both offense and defense.

After the game, Jeon Min-jae said, "I've been showing good form in recent games, and I feel good that I could contribute to the team's victory."

He expressed some regret at the moment of the home run, believing he hadn't made perfect contact. Nevertheless, the ball carried well, allowing him to hit another home run. "I was looking for a high zone while expecting a breaking ball, but a fastball came in," he said. "I made a quick, short rotation, and the timing was a bit late, so I thought it wouldn't go over, but it turned out well, which surprised me."

He also boosted his confidence. "As I continue to play, I'm able to step up to the plate without shrinking and swing freely. I think my recent batting pace is good because of that. I believe that approaching the plate with confidence is leading to good results," he stated confidently.

The term 'power-hitting shortstop' no longer sounds like an exaggeration. Reaching double-digit home runs for the first time in his career is just a matter of time, and the dream of a 20-home run shortstop is growing. With three hits on this day, Jeon Min-jae has raised his batting average to.283 and his OPS to.775, signaling a career-best season and elevating his own value.

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*This content was translated by AI.