Why haven't Hong Chang-ki and Shin Min-jae been demoted to the minor league despite their slump? Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop made his position clear.

*This content was translated by AI.

Facing slumps from key players including Hong Chang-ki (33) and Shin Min-jae (30), LG Twins manager Yeom Kyung-yeop (58) chose patience over demotion to the minor league. He believes that guaranteeing these players time to recover will better serve the team's ultimate goals than rash shock therapy.

Ahead of the match against the Busan Lotte Giants on the 27th, Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop shared his thoughts: "Baseball is truly not easy. Just look at Shin Min-jae this year."

Last year, Shin Min-jae rose to stardom after years of obscurity, even winning a KBO Golden Glove Award. After graduating from Incheon High School, he joined the Doosan Bears as a developmental player in 2015 and was selected by LG in the 2018 KBO Second Draft. At that time, he was merely a speedy base runner. Even after his first-team debut in 2019, he received few opportunities until Manager Yeom Kyung-yeop took charge in 2023, when he was finally given regular playing time. Last year marked his peak. In 135 regular-season games, he posted a .313 batting average (145 hits in 463 at-bats), one home run, 61 RBIs, 87 runs scored, and 15 stolen bases, with an on-base percentage of .395 and a slugging percentage of .382. He excellently filled the void left by Hong Chang-ki (33) as the table-setter. Shin Min-jae's Golden Glove was the first since the KBO Second Draft was established in 2011.

This year, there is no trace of his performance from the past three years. In 74 games, he has hit no home runs, with a .232 batting average (51 hits in 220 at-bats), 15 RBIs, 26 runs scored, and 10 stolen bases. His on-base percentage is .327, slugging percentage .241, and OPS (on-base plus slugging) stands at .568. The same sentiment applies to Hong Chang-ki, who has also struggled. Hong, the KBO's all-time leader in on-base percentage, has played 69 games this year without a home run, posting a .247 batting average (59 hits in 239 at-bats), 21 RBIs, 44 runs scored, .379 on-base percentage, .293 slugging percentage, and .672 OPS—falling short of his usual form.

Manager Yeom stated, "(Shin) Min-jae made the national team last year with a .300 batting average, but facing difficulties is part of baseball. However, Min-jae is ultimately a player who must carry our team for the next five years. He is going through this process." He added, "Min-jae is likely aware of the negative public opinion. Therefore, I hope people will trust and encourage him more. I believe this is a much better direction for LG Twins."

Demotion to the minor league (Futures League) is not expected for the foreseeable future. Manager Yeom said, "My position is firm. I will send them to the minors only if the players themselves feel they have truly hit rock bottom. There are still 70 games left. If our team were aiming for fifth place or rebuilding, or if (Hong) Chang-ki and (Shin) Min-jae were approaching retirement, I might consider demotion. But these are players who should still be in their prime."

He continued, "Ultimately, I believe our team can achieve this year's planned goals only if Hong Chang-ki and Shin Min-jae, as starters, fulfill their roles and grow together with the rest of the team."

The trust placed in these two players was not mere stubbornness or vague belief. From the start, he has been known as the commander who quickly adjusts strategies based on circumstances, earning fans' nickname "Yeom Kyung-yeop + Seomyu Yu-yeon-je" (Yeom Kyung-yeop + Flexible Management). He believes there is a reason starters remain starters, and years of accumulated full-time experience reflect both on and off the field.

Manager Yeom said, "No matter which league or team you go to in the world, the judgment would be the same. Even in Major League Baseball, starters are starters. There is a plan for each. If you believe in a player for that season, you must go with that belief." He added, "It is the manager's role to fulfill that responsibility. If I get criticized, I will take it. If we fail, I will take responsibility. Then, after a year, the team will make its judgment. If a player's performance is at its peak, why would I change?" He calmly summarized his stance.

Behind this lies the manager's belief in the data accumulated over more than a decade of numerous successes and failures, as well as the system LG has established over the years. Manager Yeom stated, "I have managed this way so far, and it is my direction and philosophy. Through this process, I have gained my own confidence. This is not haphazard management." He further explained, "In any league, the manager is the one who gets criticized and must endure to create results. Only then can players be developed. Winning is in the past. Every year is a test. Recognition comes only at the end of the season as a result."

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*This content was translated by AI.