Why did Samsung overlook 'this player'? Signs of a blockbuster trade emerge as expectations grow with his first career three-hit game and a .400 batting average

*This content was translated by AI.

The protagonist of the trade that saw him leave the Samsung Lions and don the Doosan Bears uniform delivered his first career three-hit game. Although his team lost, his performance was impressive enough to generate strong expectations for the next game. This is the story of Ryu Seung-min (22), who gives his all every moment he steps onto the field in a Doosan uniform.

On the 20th, Doosan lost 2-4 to the LG Twins in an away regular-season game of the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium. Doosan, leading 2-1, lost the game in the bottom of the 8th inning when Kim Taek-yeon surrendered a go-ahead three-run home run to Moon Bo-kyung.

With a record of 34 wins, 2 draws, and 35 losses, Doosan maintained its sole fifth-place position in the league. However, the gap with the sixth-place Hanwha Eagles has now become '0'.

Although the team unfortunately lost, there was a player who delighted Doosan fans. That player was Ryu Seung-min.

Ryu Seung-min started the game as the second hitter and left fielder. Meanwhile, Park Chan-ho, who had consistently been placed in the upper lineup, was moved down to the sixth spot. Doosan manager Kim Won-hyung explained the adjustment to Park Chan-ho's batting order as "to move Ryu Seung-min up."

And Ryu Seung-min lived up to the manager's expectations. In the first inning, Ryu was retired on a fly ball to right field. However, he recorded a hit in each of his next three at-bats. In the fourth inning, with one out and no runners on base, he targeted LG starter Im Chan-kyu's first-pitch fastball (140 km/h) and hit a hit to right-center field. Later, with two outs, he reached third base on Yang Eui-ji's hit to left-center field, but the run did not score as Kim Min-seok was out on a fly ball to center field.

In the sixth inning, he even hit a sacrifice fly. With one out and a runner on second, Ryu swung and missed at Im Chan-kyu's first-pitch curveball. He then connected with the second-pitch fastball, driving it to right field for a sacrifice fly. He subsequently reached third base on Cameron's hit to right field and scored on Yang Eui-ji's sacrifice fly to center field.

Ryu Seung-min completed his three-hit game in the top of the 8th inning when Doosan led 2-1. With two outs and no runners on base, he hit LG reliever Kim Young-woo's fourth-pitch curveball on a 1-2 count for a hit to left-center field. He was then replaced by pinch runner Jo Su-haeng, concluding his game for the day.

If Doosan had won this game, Ryu Seung-min could have been named the game's hero. However, due to the team's loss, he must wait for the next opportunity.

Meanwhile, Ryu Seung-min was acquired by Doosan through a trade with Samsung on the 6th of last month. At that time, Doosan received Ryu Seung-min in exchange for infielder Park Gye-beom.

A Doosan official explained Ryu Seung-min's acquisition at the time, stating, "He is a 22-year-old young Na I-e (SVP) who has completed his military service as an outfielder," and added, "He shows exceptional talent in batting and possesses infinite growth potential. He is a prospect who can fully secure a spot in the outfield in the future."

Ryu Seung-min, who graduated from Gwangju Hwajeong Elementary, Mudung Middle, and Gwangju Jeil High, was drafted by Samsung in the 2023 rookie draft as the 68th overall pick in the 7th round. His signing bonus was 50 million won. After completing his military service at the Army Baseball Team, he has appeared in six games this season, posting a .429 batting average (6 hits in 14 at-bats), one double, one RBI, two runs scored, one stolen base, three walks, two strikeouts, a .500 slugging percentage, a .529 on-base percentage, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.029. And with his first career three-hit game on the first-division stage today, he has firmly made his mark once again. Will Ryu Seung-min be able to receive more opportunities this season and contribute to the team's victory?

<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>

*This content was translated by AI.