*This content was translated by AI.
"I hope I can pitch well too, but I will support (Kwak) Bin-hyung well."
Choe Min-seok (20, Doosan Bears), the league's top hit product this season with the most wins, lowered his posture. Ahead of his first national team tournament, he showed great respect for his seniors.
Choe Min-seok, who graduated from Seoul High School and joined Doosan in the second round last year, made a perfect comeback this season. In 25 games, he pitched 138⅔ innings with a record of 14 wins and 4 losses, posting an ERA of 2.73 while playing a leading role. He tied for first place in wins, boosting Doosan's hopes for autumn baseball.
With a two-seam fastball reaching speeds up to 152 km/h and another signature weapon, the cutter, he has displayed aggressive pitching and emerged as one of the league's top starting pitchers, leaving no reason for him not to be included in the national team roster.
Nevertheless, Choe Min-seok relies on his experienced seniors. After finishing the second day of training for the 2026 Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games baseball national team at Seoul Gocheok Sky Dome on the 16th, he met with reporters and said, "There are definitely many skilled seniors, which seems to have motivated me to work even harder." He added, "Since I feel we must win unconditionally, I think that's why I'm preparing more diligently."
The Taegeuk mark had been a heartfelt dream since childhood. Choe Min-seok said, "I watched the Asian Games, Premier12, and WBC often when I was young, imagining myself stepping up in critical moments to prevent crises." He continued, "No matter what situation arises, I will do my best."
However, ahead of the Asian Games, he expressed infinite respect for his seniors. "I think (Kwak) Bin-hyung and the seniors who take on the ace role might feel some pressure. I hope I can pitch well too, but I will support (Kwak) Bin-hyung well," he stated.
This does not mean he is worried or shrinking under pressure. "I don't feel much burden; my only thought is that we must win the gold medal. By nature, I am not someone who gets scared or intimidated. I do look forward to it and imagine what situations might come, but I think it will be fun," he shared.
Choe Min-seok, who started against NC Dinos on the 13th, will not appear in the final mock game against the Army Baseball Team (Sangmu) on the 17th alongside Kwak Bin and So Hyoung-jun (KT). While the purpose is recovery, with eight pitchers scheduled to pitch one inning each, interest grows regarding Choe Min-seok's appearance schedule.
Although Kwak Bin is expected as the first starter, facing archrival Taiwan twice could make relying solely on him burdensome. Utilizing Choe Min-seok in the first game could be an option.
Choe Min-seok explained, "Since I pitched on Sunday, recovery is the priority. It will be important to adapt to the ball (official baseball) and the stadium through catchball and pitching."
The situation he has always dreamed of may become reality. If setting the most dramatic scene, it would be appearing in a tiebreaker situation in the final match. Choe Min-seok is full of confidence. "First, I can throw the most strikes, and I think I will throw the best pitches I feel on that day. It's likely to be two-seam fastballs and cutters," he said. He added, "I might get nervous, but if I overcome it, I could become a hero and leave my mark in the records, so I will do my best."
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*This content was translated by AI.
