*This content was translated by AI.
Lotte Giants' promising power hitter Kim Dong-hyun (23) is not yet a complete batter. He shuttles between the first division and the Futures League, showcasing both potential and areas for improvement. However, there is one talent he has been certain of since his university days: power that cannot be easily taught.
Kim Dong-hyun graduated from Incheon Byeongbang Elementary (Incheon Seogu Little), Jaeneung Middle School, and Jeomulpo High School but went undrafted in the professional draft. During high school, he posted a batting average of 0.294 (30 hits in 102 at-bats) over 40 games with 3 home runs and 24 RBIs, achieving an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.908. His hitting statistics were not poor. However, questions remained regarding his defense, launch angle, and overall completeness. Nevertheless, Lee Seung-jong, the head coach at Busan University of Science and Technology (Busan 과기대), noticed Kim Dong-hyun's power alone and personally traveled from Busan to Cheongna, Incheon Metropolitan City, where Kim lived.
In a recent meeting with StarNews at Busan University of Science and Technology, Coach Lee Seung-jong recalled, "(Kim) Dong-hyun had the best power during high school. It is not easy for an East Asian physique to develop such a frame (185cm tall, 100kg) or possess such exceptional hitting talent. That is why I personally went to Cheongna to meet his parents and persuaded them to let him join our university."
He continued, "His batting average during high school was not particularly high because he lacked aggressiveness in the batter's box. He also struggled to lift the ball. He needed to be able to lift the ball like SSG's Choi Jeong, but back then, his approach resulted in line drives that hit the fence and dropped. Still, since his power was undeniable, I had him bat fourth from his freshman year onward."
Coach Lee Seung-jong's judgment proved correct. Kim Dong-hyun enrolled at Busan University of Science and Technology and excelled over two years in 38 university baseball games, posting a batting average of 0.352 (45 hits in 128 at-bats), with 12 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 7 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.030. As a result, he was selected by Lotte in the sixth round, 54th overall, of the 2025 KBO Rookie Draft.
During his time at Busan University of Science and Technology, Kim Dong-hyun was a mood-maker. Coach Lee remembered him as "a lively player who got along well with seniors and juniors but was deeply passionate about baseball." He added, "Our university does not allow players with poor character to stay. Players who complained have already quit and left. Amidst that environment, Dong-hyun was truly a hardworking friend."
That diligence is now gradually shining in the professional ranks. Last year, Kim hit 11 home runs in 75 Futures League games. This year, he recorded a batting average of 0.315 (51 hits in 162 at-bats), 6 home runs, 31 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.979 across 52 Futures League games, securing his debut with the first division team.
He has also firmly proven his power in the first division. Consistently generating bat speeds near 170 km/h, he hit numerous home runs at Gocheok Sky Dome and Sajik Baseball Stadium, venues where it is not easy to clear the fences. Although below-average outfield defense held him back, Coach Lee Seung-jong viewed this as a problem that time would resolve.
From 2020, when Kim Dong-hyun entered Jeomulpo High School, for three years, the COVID-19 pandemic imposed significant restrictions on training. With already limited class hours preventing extensive practice in high school, and additional restrictions on gatherings, it was difficult to improve his defense. This was a common regret among infielders of Kim's generation.
Coach Lee Seung-jong smiled and said, "Even now, if we do BP (batting practice), I believe he could hit home runs over the outfield fence at Sajik Baseball Stadium. You can compare him to LG's Lee Jae-won. He possesses the power to hit a home run over the fence if he sets his mind to it. In fact, two years ago, he won the Home Run Derby at the Daejeon Baseball Stadium during the High School-University All-Star game by hitting a home run over the outfield fence."
Lotte's future continues to prove its mentor's faith with results. On the 4th, Kim Dong-hyun started as the cleanup hitter and left fielder in Lotte's home game against the LG Twins 2nd division team during the 2026 Medihill KBO Futures League regular season at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan. He led Lotte to a 5-0 victory with three hits in four at-bats, including one home run and two RBIs, featuring the go-ahead home run. On the mound, Park Se-jin (29), Lee Min-seok (23), and Park Jeong-min (23) maintained scoreless pitching. Thanks to Kim Dong-hyun's go-ahead home run, Lotte achieved its ninth no-hitter in KBO history since 2010.
Coach Lee Seung-jong said, "(Kim) Dong-hyun does not have poor contact skills. However, it is difficult for batters to produce results in just one or two at-bats, so consistent playing time is necessary. I believe he is a player Lotte can develop over the long term. He eats well and rarely gets sick. He also takes good care of his seniors and juniors, which makes him even more reliable. His skills have improved significantly since joining university, and I expect them to continue growing as he plays in the professional league."
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*This content was translated by AI.
