*This content was translated by AI.
Who could have expected such performance? Kim Min-jun (20, SSG Landers) is approaching new history in the KBO League. Furthermore, he has emerged as a strong contender in what seemed like an uncontested Rookie of the Year race.
On the 18th, Kim made his starting appearance against the Samsung Lions at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in a 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League away game, pitching 6 innings with 82 pitches, allowing 5 hits, issuing 2 walks, recording 2 strikeouts, and giving up just 1 earned run.
Starting from his scoreless win on the 23rd of last month against the Lotte Giants (6 innings), followed by a 2-run win against the Doosan Bears on the 29th (6 innings), a no-decision with 2 runs allowed against the LG Twins on the 4th (6 innings), and a 1-run win against the Lotte Giants on the 12th (6 innings), Kim recorded five consecutive quality starts (QS: starting pitcher pitching at least 6 innings while allowing 3 or fewer earned runs).
Five consecutive QS by a high school graduate rookie is the second-best record in history. This places him alongside Je Chun-mo of SK Wyverns (now SSG) in 2002, Kim Soo-kyung of Hyundai Unicorns in 1998, and just one step behind Joo Hyung-kwang (formerly with Lotte), who holds the all-time record with six consecutive QS.
Kim retired the side in order in the first inning by striking out batting leader Ku Ja-wook and cleanly shut down the second inning as well. In the third, he faced a crisis with no outs and runners on second and third after allowing consecutive hits to leadoff batter Kang Min-ho and Jeon Byung-woo, but retired Lee Jae-hyun and Kim Ji-chan by throwing inside fastballs, resulting in a right field flyout and a first baseman's grounder. He gave up the first run after allowing a hit to Park Seung-gyu, but then struck out Ku Ja-wook again with a second baseman's grounder to erase further scoring threats.
After issuing a walk to Choi Hyung-woo in the fourth inning, Kim induced a swinging strikeout from Lewin Diaz with a high fastball and got Ryu Ji-hyuk to hit into a double play to end the frame. In the fifth, with one out and runners on first and second, he induced a second baseman's grounder from Kim Ji-chan, then retired Park Seung-gyu with a left field flyout with two outs and runners on second and third to close the inning.
Kim also appeared in the sixth inning. He allowed a leadoff single by Ku Ja-wook to right field but this time induced a double play from Choi Hyung-woo by throwing an inside low fastball, retiring the runner, and caught Diaz with a shortstop pop fly.
Although he threw only 82 pitches, Kim was scheduled to start again on the 23rd against KT Wiz, so he handed over the ball to Jeon Young-jun from the seventh inning onward.
A native of Daegu High School, Kim delivered his best performance last year, winning the grand prize at the Futures Star Awards organized and hosted by StarNews, defeating a field of strong candidates. He was praised as "a talent capable of contributing immediately to the first team."
Selected fifth overall in the first round by SSG this season, Kim was slated for a starting role since spring training but complained of shoulder pain before the season and made his first-team debut only in June.
In 11 games, he has pitched 55⅔ innings with a record of 5 wins and 2 losses, posting an ERA of 3.56, effectively fulfilling the role of Korea's top starting pitcher. Notably, he recorded six quality starts, firmly placing him first in this category within his team.
Earlier, manager Lee Sung-yong remarked, "A player I thought was a bonus has shown his true worth. I see the same image of So Hyoung-jun when he joined the team during my time as KT general manager. He will be even better next season." Kim lived up to that expectation again on this day.
In the Rookie of the Year race, Hanwha Eagles catcher Heo In-seo has already secured his name in the running, but there is growing speculation that Kim Min-jun could become his sole rival. Despite starting late in the season, he has emerged as a representative pitcher for his team and is displaying the most dominant performance among rookie pitchers with an ERA in the mid-3s. With up to eight more scheduled starts expected, depending on how many additional wins he can secure and how much he can lower his ERA, it appears he could create cracks in the Rookie of the Year competition.
<© STARNEWS. All rights reserved. No reproduction or redistribution allowed.>
*This content was translated by AI.
