*This content was translated by AI.
"I wanted to keep going, so I told them..."
Though he was in a situation that could have etched his name into Korean professional baseball history, Kim Min-jun (20), a rookie pitcher for SSG Landers, expressed his regret as the team secured a victory.
Kim Min-jun started against Hanwha Eagles at Incheon SSG Landers Field on the 25th in the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League home game, throwing 92 pitches over five innings for four hits allowed (one home run), two walks, six strikeouts, and one earned run.
His streak of consecutive quality starts (QS)—defined as a starting pitcher completing at least six innings while allowing three or fewer earned runs—concluded at five games, beginning with a scoreless six-inning outing against Lotte on the 23rd last month, followed by two earned runs in six innings against Doosan on the 29th, two earned runs in six innings against LG on the 4th, one earned run in six innings against Lotte on the 12th, and one earned run in six innings against Samsung on the 18th.
Kim Min-jun struck out two batters to finish the first inning. He allowed a solo home run to Moon Hyun-bin in the third but held him to just 13 pitches. However, he left runners in scoring position in the second and fourth innings, causing his pitch count to rise: 21 pitches in the second and 25 in the fourth. His total pitch count after five innings was 92.
Manager Lee Sung-yong brought in relief pitchers from the top of the sixth inning while the game was tied 1-1. Kim Min-jun, who had achieved five consecutive quality starts as a high school graduate rookie and stood second all-time in that category, narrowly missed breaking the record set by Ju Hyung-kwang (then with Lotte) in 1994 for six consecutive quality starts.
The SSG lineup scored six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, securing a 7-1 victory. After the game, Manager Lee Sung-yong said, "I was aware that starter Kim Min-jun was challenging for the record for the longest consecutive quality start by a high school graduate rookie in KBO League history." He added, "However, we decided to make the change after comprehensively considering various factors, including his pitch count. While it is regrettable that he could not continue the 32nd-year-old record, he proved once again through today's game that he is a player who will one day be responsible for SSG Landers' future mound."
Kim Min-jun's highest pitch count this season was only 95 pitches, and he is scheduled to start twice a week until the game against KIA on the 30th. Concerns arose that pushing for the record could strain his body, which is why relief pitchers were brought in from the sixth inning.
After the game, Kim Min-jun told reporters, "I mentioned I could go one more inning, but I think they pulled me out quickly so I wouldn't get injured, knowing there will be many more opportunities ahead."
He expressed regret over throwing too many pitches in the second and fourth innings. Kim Min-jun said, "My energy was rising toward the end, and I still had strength left to pitch, but it was disappointing that my outing ended because of the high pitch count."
Records are meant to be broken eventually. However, those who hold records often hope they won't be broken for as long as possible or develop a deep attachment to them. This is especially true for players with little professional experience.
Kim Min-jun was different. Often praised for his game management and demeanor on the mound that seemed beyond his rookie status, he offered an unexpected response: "It will be tough, but I hope future high school graduate rookies break this record."
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*This content was translated by AI.
