'Lotte's Final First-Round Draft Pick' Busan Native Lee Min-seok: "So Happy We Won → Less Than Half the Season Is Over, We Can Still Climb"

*This content was translated by AI.

"I am happier that the team could win than that I became the winning pitcher."

"Lee Min-seok (23), a right-handed pitcher for the Lotte Giants and a 'Busan native' who was selected in the 'final first-round draft,' set a new personal record for most innings in a single game and led his team to victory.

"On the 19th, Lee made his season debut as the starting pitcher in the first of a three-game road series against the Kiwoom Heroes at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome. He threw 97 pitches over 7⅓ innings, allowing 7 hits, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts while giving up only 1 earned run. His fastest pitch reached 151 km/h. Thanks to Lee's outstanding performance, Lotte defeated Kiwoom 2-1, and Lee earned his first win of the season (1 loss).

"The 7⅓ innings Lee pitched on this day mark his personal record for most innings in a single game since his professional debut in the 2022 season. His previous record was 6⅔ innings (scoreless at the time) against LG at Sajik on July 3, 2025.

"After the game, Lee smiled and said, 'Actually, I thought my outing ended after the 7th inning.' He continued, 'The coach told me, "You'll be going out for the 8th inning as well, so don't exert yourself too much; instead, relax and throw." I focused only on that and went up to the mound. I don't think I even considered that I would be pitching in the 8th before the game.'

"Lee took the mound in the bottom of the 8th but allowed leadoff batter Seo Geon-chang to reach base. He then struck out the next batter, Hiura, to record an out, leaving a runner on first base before leaving the mound. Lotte road fans filling Gocheok Dome gave Lee a standing ovation as he left the mound.

"Lee said, 'Actually, last year when I pitched well as a starter, I was also applauded as I left the mound. But this year, we didn't win many of the games I started, and I felt heavy-hearted because the team couldn't win in every game I was in.' He added, 'Today, regardless of my win or the number of innings I pitched, I was so happy that the team could win. I hope I can pitch well again in the future and leave the mound to another standing ovation,' expressing his overwhelming emotions.

"When relief pitchers Hyun Do-hoon and Choi Jun-yong took over and stopped the crisis, Lee admitted he couldn't watch properly. He laughed, saying, 'I was so nervous that I hid behind and didn't watch.' He added, 'But deep down, I trusted my teammates. The guys in the dugout next to me told me, "We will definitely stop them, so don't worry," which made me feel relieved,' expressing his gratitude to his teammates.

"This victory was Lee's first starting win in 377 days. A 'Busan native' who attended Suyeong Elementary, Daechon Middle, and Gaeseong High School, he joined Lotte in 2022 as a promising first-round draft pick and was hailed as a cornerstone for the team's future. After the first-round draft was completely abolished, its symbolic significance grew even larger.

"Lee's last win was exactly one year ago, on June 7, 2025, against Doosan at Jamsil (5 innings, 4 earned runs). Because it had been so long, Lee himself laughed cheerfully, saying, 'It's been so long that I can't even remember when I last won.' In particular, regarding the decision win against Raul Alcantara, the opposing ace and first starter, he said, 'Winning against the opposing first starter gives me a huge confidence boost for the next game,' attaching great significance to the achievement.

"Lee, who experienced ups and downs early in the season, cited mental control as his biggest change. He said, 'In the previous game (6 innings, 5 earned runs against LG at Jamsil), I allowed many runs, but I tried to reduce the emotional swings on the mound. I aim to throw with the same mindset from the moment I receive the ball until I leave the mound. Today, after giving up runs in the 2nd inning, when I came up in the 3rd, I thought, "This is like starting the 1st inning again," and I think that mindset led to the good result,' showing his matured approach.

"Regarding the team's current standing in the lower ranks and his spot in the starting rotation, Lee said, 'I can't say I have no ambition, but if the team asks me to start, I will start; if they ask me to prepare from the bullpen, I will prepare from the bullpen. Most importantly, it is crucial for our team to climb up. We haven't even reached half the season yet. I believe we can still climb. Honestly, thinking about how poorly I started this season, just being able to pitch in the first division is something I am grateful for,' he smiled.

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*This content was translated by AI.