'SSG's 'Rookie Who Waited 24 Years' Kim Min-jun Wins Second Straight Game, "Growing Every Game, Revealing Team's Future" Head Coach Smiles Broadly [Incheon Field]

*This content was translated by AI.

Chae Chun-mo has now become a name of memory. SSG Landers fans were taken on a nostalgic journey back 24 years, as another monster rookie emerged, evoking his powerful debut season impact.

Kim Min-jun (19) made the start against the Doosan Bears in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 29th, throwing 90 pitches over six innings and delivering an impressive performance with five hits allowed (one home run), one walk, two strikeouts, and two earned runs.

Taking over in the seventh inning with a 4-2 lead, the bullpen protected the advantage to secure the victory, giving Kim Min-jun his fourth win of the season (with two losses).

Signed as the fifth overall pick in the first round for a signing bonus of 270 million won, Kim Min-jun was guaranteed a spot in the starting rotation from spring camp but could not make his debut until June due to shoulder pain.

Though late, the impact was sufficient. Despite facing crises in the first and second innings today, he allowed only minimal runs and held on through the sixth inning, laying the foundation for the team's victory. Above all, his fearless composure in crisis situations, throwing his pitches without wavering, has earned him praise as being unlike typical rookie players.

After winning with six scoreless innings in the previous game, Kim Min-jun achieved a Quality Start (QS: starting pitcher pitching six or more innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs) today as well. The entire team managed only ten QSs across 86 games in the first half of the season, yet Kim Min-jun alone secured his third QS.

The last time a high school rookie from the team (including during its SK era) recorded back-to-back QSs was 24 years ago. Even as a rookie in 2002, Chae Chun-mo held a spot in the starting rotation, recording a 7-inning, 3-run performance against KIA on June 1 at Mudeung and a 6⅓-inning, 3-run outing against Incheon Daejeon on June 7. Kim Min-jun has now matched that record with even more stable pitching.

Chae Chun-mo made 30 appearances that season, finishing with 9 wins, 7 losses, and an ERA of 4.68 in a solid debut campaign. Although Kim Min-jun started his season late, he is currently performing well with 4 wins and 2 losses in eight games, posting an ERA of 4.30.

Manager Lee Seung-yong could not hide his joy. The manager praised Kim Min-jun, saying, "Kim Min-jun has recorded back-to-back Quality Starts, proving his value as a starting pitcher before Incheon home fans. He is showing growth in every game and revealing the team's future."

SSG, which had to cry over its worst starting rotation, is now showing the strength of a completely transformed starting staff in the second half. In 12 games, all starters have pitched at least five innings and were solely responsible for the team's six victories.

As the starting rotation has performed well, it has created a positive cycle in the bullpen as well. Manager Lee noted, "Even our veteran relievers protected the rookie's first home win of the season by pitching steadily and finishing the game cleanly."

The lineup also led to a satisfying victory with seven extra-base hits out of 11 total hits. "Madris broke his recent slump with a valuable two-run home run that shifted momentum in our favor, and Jeon Ui-san, who had struggled against left-handed pitchers, hit two extra-base hits twice today, regaining confidence. I also want to praise An Sang-hyun for showing increasingly stable defense at third base," he added.

Today, a "Ranfill Summer Festival" was held in the stands to beat the heat. Home fans were drenched with refreshing water showers, and the joy was doubled by the victory. Manager Lee Seung-yong said, "I hope the fans could temporarily escape the summer heat with the water bombs they enjoyed in the stands and today's win. We will prepare well for tomorrow's game as well to secure a winning series."

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*This content was translated by AI.