"I held it together during the TV interview... but once I sat on the bench, tears just poured out." Deoksu High's catcher Seol Jae-min couldn't hold back his tears in the championship win after 17 years [Interview]

*This content was translated by AI.

"I managed to hold it together during the TV interview... but once I sat on the bench, tears suddenly poured out."

The moment Deoksu High's starting catcher Seol Jae-min (18) returned to the bench after securing the Presidential Cup championship for the first time in 17 years, he finally let out all the emotions he had been holding back over the past few months. His teacher, Deoksu High coach Jeong Yun-jin (55), gently comforted his student who could no longer hold back tears, saying, "You've worked hard."

Seol Jae-min recently met with StarNews at Deoksu High's field and shared his honest feelings: "I felt sorry to my parents because I couldn't play much during my senior year. I also felt sorry to the head coach and coaches. Seeing everyone work so hard after I returned, I think that's when the tears suddenly came."

It was understandable. Seol Jae-min hit a .317 batting average last season and was rated as one of the top three catching prospects heading into this season. Early this year, a KBO scout said, "Seol Jae-min has excellent framing and blocking skills as a catcher. His hitting mechanics have become smoother, improving his ability to handle low pitches and enhancing his plate vision."

However, the highly anticipated senior year season stopped immediately after it began. Seol Jae-min played only one game in the Shinsegae E-Mart Cup National High School Baseball Tournament earlier this year before suffering a right shoulder injury. He said, "I had some minor issues beforehand and thought they would resolve if I pushed through. Then suddenly, the pain hit all at once."

He took a complete break during the Golden Lion Cup and barely returned by the end of the Blue Dragon Cup. Reflecting on that time, Seol Jae-min said, "Honestly, I had no days off and focused entirely on rehabilitation. I went to the rehab center almost every day, and once things started improving, I also swung a bat to stay busy."

The cost of the injury was high. His dream of joining the youth national team since last year did not materialize. No one blamed him. Seol Jae-min said, "It's true that it's disappointing, but I accepted it honestly because I got injured due to neglecting my body management. Better players made it to the youth national team, so I hope they achieve great results."

However, the 60th Presidential Cup National High School Baseball Tournament held last month proved why Seol Jae-min was mentioned as the top-ranked catcher overall. Despite scorching heat reaching up to 39°C (102°F), he started every game as Deoksu High's primary catcher. Even under harsh conditions playing a full four hours and thirty minutes in one match, his bat exploded with power.

It wasn't an easy start either. He failed to get a hit in his first four at-bats in the opening game. Although he hit a home run in his final at-bat, he didn't feel his hitting was particularly good. Seol Jae-min explained, "I felt this tournament might be my last chance to prove myself. After the first game, I changed my form slightly and reset my mindset over two days. I thought it didn't matter whether I hit or struck out; either way, I'd fail. So I decided from the first pitch to swing aggressively and try to get results."

After that, his bat came alive as if by magic. Seol Jae-min finished the tournament with a .481 batting average (13 hits in 27 at-bats), two home runs, 12 RBIs, and seven runs scored, sweeping three offensive categories: most hits (13), most home runs (2), and most RBIs (12). Leading with Seol Jae-min's outstanding all-around performance, Deoksu High reached the Presidential Cup summit for the first time in 17 years, and Seol Jae-min was named tournament MVP. KBO scouts also praised him, saying, "He seems to have shaken off some of the negative thoughts about his injury."

Most importantly, this tournament held great significance for Seol Jae-min as it gave him back the senior year season he had lost. Seol Jae-min said, "I'm close with players like Yu Je-min from Hwimun High, Im Tae-gang from Baejae High, and Kim Sun-bin from Gwangju Ilgo High. We've all been talking about how playing so many games since last year has taken a toll on our bodies. Especially Sun-bin hyung, who also suffered right shoulder pain, we encouraged each other greatly. Even though we're competitors, shouldn't we hope none of us get hurt? So we supported and motivated each other."

Having gone through all these experiences, tears finally burst forth once everything was over. Seol Jae-min said, "My shoulder is truly fine now. I had no trouble making a stolen base stop during the championship game, and it will be the same in the future." He added with an awkward smile, "I had some tears during the TV interview but managed to hold them back. But once I went into the bench after the game, they suddenly poured out."

There is still more to come. Although he couldn't join the youth national team, the final national tournament, the Bonghwangdae Cup, awaits, followed by the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft.

His goal upon entering professional baseball is to meet league-representative catchers like Kang Min-ho (41, Samsung Lions), Yang Eui-ji (39, Doosan Bears), and Kim Hyung-jun (27, NC Dinos) as soon as possible. Seol Jae-min said, "I have many questions about defensive aspects. I feel my pitcher leadership and pitch selection are still immature, so I'd like to meet these three seniors who have even represented the national team."

He continued with a smile, "As a batter, I want to face Doosan's Kim Taek-yeon and KT's Park Young-hyun. I'd really like to see Kim Taek-yeon's straight fastball and Park Young-hyun's zero-gravity fastball in person."

To achieve that, his priority is to finish the final tournament, the 54th Bonghwangdae Cup National High School Baseball Tournament, well. Fortunately, he started as the fourth hitter and catcher from the first game against Daegu Buk-gu SC, going 3-for-4 with one home run, five RBIs, and two runs scored, leading Deoksu High to a 42-0 victory in a five-inning cold game.

Seol Jae-min said firmly, "Avoiding injury is truly my top priority. I want to show steadily from the beginning of the Bonghwangdae Cup that the performance I showed at the Presidential Cup wasn't just luck. Of course, I'm aiming for the championship." He added confidently, "Just being drafted would be something to be grateful for. I'd be thankful no matter which team calls my name, but I have higher ambitions—I hope my name gets called within the sixth round."

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*This content was translated by AI.