*This content was translated by AI.
"It is an honor just to have my seniors' names mentioned, but for now, my priority is to perform well in this second half so I can remain a starter next year."
After Kim Ha-seong (31, Atlanta Braves minor league Triple-A) and Kim Hye-seong (27, Los Angeles Dodgers minor league Triple-A) left for Major League Baseball (MLB), Kiwoom Heroes struggled to find a reliable starting shortstop for a long time, enduring a brutal infield situation. The team examined numerous options, from foreign batter Edison Russell to rookies, free agents, and veterans, but no one could secure the position for more than a year.
The person who resolved this infield anxiety is Kwon Hyuk-bin (21), a second-year infielder from Daegu High School who was drafted in the 7th round as the 61st overall pick in 2025. Kwon Hyuk-bin has earned the trust of Kiwoom Heroes manager Seol Jong-jin (53) this season and established himself as the starting shortstop. He began making regular starts at shortstop from May onward, showing adaptation to the first division stage in the early part of the second half. Samsung Lions' Bae Chan-seung (20), a fellow Daegu High School draft pick, and Kiwoom infielder Yang Hyeon-jong (20) are in similar situations.
Kwon Hyuk-bin's true value this season is revealed in his unparalleled defensive metrics. Among shortstops who have played 300 or more innings in the KBO League, Kwon Hyuk-bin's defensive statistics are undeniably among the league's best. Starting at shortstop 58 times this season, Kwon Hyuk-bin committed only four errors over 448⅔ innings. His fielding percentage stands at an impressive 97.9%, ranking first among all shortstops in the league who have played 300 or more innings.
Meeting with reporters ahead of the Samsung Lions game on the 23rd at Gocheok, Kwon Hyuk-bin explained, "I've had confidence in my defense since I was young. Thanks to extensive fundamental training with coach Cha Min-kyu during my high school days (Daegu High School), my body moves naturally even in actual games."
He continued, "Unlike the amateur level, the speed of batted balls is much faster on the professional stage. It was difficult to adapt at first, but as I became more accustomed to it, I grew more comfortable." He added, "I am receiving great help from advice and coaching plays by seniors like Seo Geon-chang and other veteran players."
He also created a turning point in his batting, not just defense. While his overall season batting average was a disappointing .199 (31 hits in 156 at-bats), he has recently overcome his weakness against high pitches, hitting powerfully with a second-half batting average of .360 (9 hits in 25 at-bats). His performance over the last 10 games is also good at .310.
He is praised for his agile footwork and smooth movements from fielding to throwing. Manager Seol Jong-jin of Kiwoom also stated, "We will continue to give him opportunities steadily. He hit many high balls in the first half, but he has improved in the second half. It seems he is following the coaching well. He may get tired in the future, but we plan to keep letting him play."
Kwon Hyuk-bin said, "I originally tried to focus only on defense, but when my batting struggled, it affected my defense as well. Now, I am strictly separating my batting and defense." He added, "In the past, I would swing at balls due to impatience, but now that I have set my own strike zone and try to hit only incoming pitches, I am hitting fewer high balls and getting better results."
He possesses tools that allow him to handle all infield positions as well as outfield defense in addition to shortstop. In fact, during the Samsung game on the 23rd, he moved from shortstop to left field in the top of the 11th inning of extra innings and displayed stable defense.
Regarding the evaluation that he is the 'Kiwoom's representative shortstop' following Kim Ha-seong and Kim Hye-seong, Kwon Hyuk-bin did not lose his humility. He said, "It is an undeserved compliment. I still need much more effort to become like my seniors," but also vowed, "I will strive to live up to this honorable evaluation. For now, I want to maintain good performance until the end of the second half and run on the field as Kiwoom's starting shortstop next year."
Despite his young age, he has secured a spot in the first division, and fans are increasing. His gentle and cute appearance is also said to be winning over fans' hearts. Recently, Kwon Hyuk-bin received a coffee truck gift from an anonymous Kiwoom fan. The entire team and all club staff were provided with refreshing drinks.
Regarding this, Kwon Hyuk-bin could not hide his emotion: "This is the first time in my career that I have received a coffee truck gift. I heard about it a week ago, and since everything is new to me, I can only think it's an undeserved honor." He continued, "I thought coffee trucks were only for famous players like Senior An Chi-hong, but seeing a coffee truck with my name and photo on it made me feel very moved. I will not forget this and will work even harder."
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*This content was translated by AI.
