*This content was translated by AI.
Pitcher Han Gyu-min (17, Daejeon High School) and catcher Jeon Young-hoon (17, Segwang High School) are the youngest battery pair in the U-18 national baseball team. While third-year seniors formed the core of the Lee Run (CEO) team, these two players participated in all three matches outside the group stage against Taiwan, the super round against Japan, and the final, gaining valuable international competitive experience.
Meeting Han Gyu-min and Jeon Young-hoon at the Wi Chi-han (CEO) team's hotel in Taipei, Taiwan on the 12th, they were seen joking around like typical teenagers, but their expressions turned serious as soon as they began discussing the field and their futures.
Han Gyu-min said, "Before joining the national team, I had only heard that there was a skilled catcher in my grade, but after playing together here, I've come to appreciate his true abilities. Although Young-hoon isn't particularly large for a catcher, he possesses exceptional stability behind the plate. His framing during games is on par with the older players," giving him high praise.
Jeon Young-hoon replied, "I always wanted to form a battery with Gyu-min at least once. From a left-handed batter's perspective, Gyu-min's slider and sweeper angles curve in from behind like they're coming from his back, making them extremely threatening."
For both players, wearing the Taegeukgi is a first-time experience. Han Gyu-min recalled, "Earlier this year, whenever I asked Hahyun-seung (18, Busan High School) if I could make the national team with my current pitching ability, he would give ambiguous answers, which frustrated me. It was a place I truly wanted to be, and when I heard the selection news, Hyunsung was the first to congratulate me. My parents were even happier than I was."
For Jeon Young-hoon, joining the Lee Beon (CEO) team is the realization of a long-held dream. He said, "I received the news of my selection while packing after the Cheongryonggi Suspended Game declaration. Being selected for the youth national team for two consecutive years starting from my sophomore year has been my dream since elementary school. After this year's pre-season training, I went to Namsan Tower with Segwang High School captain Hwang Dong-min and hung a lock there, fulfilling the wish I had made. Like my motto 'What you say comes true,' my dream has become reality," he smiled.
Sharing highs and lows with top-tier third-year seniors on the verge of professional debuts is acting as a catalyst for their growth. Han Gyu-min, who discusses baseball with his roommate Hahyun-seung and learns post-game body management techniques, and Jeon Young-hoon, who constantly asks veteran catcher Won Ji-woo (18, Gangneung High School) for tips on regaining balance during games, both had eyes shining with the passion to learn.
In past youth national teams, players selected as sophomores often became core members of the team by their junior year. This was also true for current third-year aces Hahyun-seung and Eom Jun-sang (18, Deoksu High School). This is why next season's performance by this sophomore duo has drawn even greater expectations.
Leaving behind the excitement of wearing the Taegeukgi, they now look toward higher goals. Han Gyu-min said, "Instead of thinking I was selected because I played well, I try not to get too excited. My top priority is focusing on the training and games right in front of me and avoiding injuries."
Jeon Young-hoon stated, "Since next year will be truly important, I will treat this year as a time to learn like a sponge. During the winter, I aim to further develop my physical strength so that at the 2028 KBO Rookie Draft next year, my name is called first among catchers in the first round," expressing his ambitious aspirations.
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*This content was translated by AI.
