'Shock': Kang Min-ho and Yang Ui-ji's '15-year reign of GG' could be broken, yet Coach Kim Kyung-moon delays evaluation... This catcher is truly amazing!

*This content was translated by AI.

Although his team lost, Hanwha Eagles' home catcher was on fire. The star who swung three hits is none other than 'reserve veteran' Heo In-seo (23), who has already completed his military service.

On the 13th at Seoul Jamsil Baseball Stadium, Heo In-seo started as the seventh hitter and catcher in Hanwha's away game against Doosan in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season, going 3-for-5 with two RBIs.

In his first at-bat of the second inning, Heo In-seo struck out. He came up to bat again in the fourth inning with one out and bases loaded, hitting a two-run single to center field. It was a crucial run that helped Hanwha overcome a 0-5 deficit.

In the sixth inning, with no outs and a runner on first, Heo In-seo hit a single to center off Park Chi-guk. In the seventh inning, with one out and a runner on first, he hit an opposite-field single to left-center off Kim Taek-yeon, completing his three-hit game.

Heo In-seo graduated from Suncheon Buk Elementary School, Yeosu Middle School, and Hyochon High School. He was selected by Hanwha in the second round (11th overall) of the 2022 Rookie Draft. He was a promising player who even won the 2021 Lee Man-soo Catcher Award for his talent.

In his rookie season of 2022, he played in eight games. After completing his military service at Lee Eo (SVP), he returned last season and appeared in 20 games, posting a .172 batting average with two RBIs.

Now, he is fully unleashing his potential this season. In 91 games, he has recorded a .299 batting average (83 hits in 278 at-bats), 15 home runs, 13 doubles, 56 RBIs, 47 runs scored, 26 walks, six hit-by-pitches, 96 strikeouts, a .507 slugging percentage, a .369 on-base percentage, an OPS (on-base + slugging) of 0.876, and a .353 batting average with runners in scoring position.

At the KBO All-Star Game held last July, he was named 'Mr. All-Star' (MVP), widely spreading his name. When asked about the prize money, he said, "I plan to give all of it to my parents first," and added, "After giving it to them, I'll ask them to let me keep only what they want to give me as allowance," revealing his filial heart.

Heo In-seo is emerging as a strong candidate for the Golden Glove Award at catcher this season. Since 2011 in the KBO League, no catcher other than Kang Min-ho (Samsung Lions) and Yang Ui-ji (Doosan Bears) has won the Golden Glove at his position for 15 consecutive years. Now, attention is focused on whether Heo In-seo can break through this solid barrier this year.

Hanwha's manager Kim Kyung-moon held back on evaluating Heo In-seo ahead of the game on the 13th when asked about his performance. "He is indeed performing beyond expectations right now, but there are still more than 40 games left in the season. Since he still has a lot to do, I'll make my evaluation after the season ends," he said.

Indeed, what kind of evaluation will Heo In-seo receive from his manager after the season ends? Hanwha fans' expectations are growing even higher.

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*This content was translated by AI.