'With' Kim Do-young → shortstop, Lee Ho-min → third baseman: 'Finally,' KIA's positional shift becomes reality; manager publicly declares, "Will try him at third base first," leaving KIA fans sleepless

*This content was translated by AI.

Manager Lee Beom-ho (45), KIA Tigers' general manager, expressed high expectations for 'Gyeongnam High right-handed power hitter' Lee Ho-min (18), the team's first-round pick.

On the 23rd, ahead of an away game against Doosan Bears at Jamsil Stadium, Manager Lee said about Lee Ho-min, "We were fully aware that he is an exceptional hitter. Hearing that such a player would join our team made me want to head straight to the closing camp," he added with a smile.

He continued, "The scouting team also spoke highly of the third-round pick (infielder Noh Min-hyuk) as a very promising prospect. The pitching staff is solid, and we needed a catcher, so it seems they made good selections. As someone on the field, I believe the scouts' eyes are accurate. I am eager to see these players firsthand."

Manager Kim said, "First, I sincerely congratulate you on joining the team. Given how popular this franchise is, you may face far more attention than initially expected, but I am confident you will handle it well. Starting your professional career with such a beloved team is itself a great honor. You will have many excellent senior players to learn from, and the passionate support of fans will be a tremendous source of strength. Above all, I want to tell you to come and experience it firsthand. I hope you gain valuable experiences at this strong team, grow into an outstanding player, and stay with us for a long time," offering his heartfelt wishes.

KIA selected Lee Ho-min as the third overall pick in the first round of the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft held on the 21st at the World Crystal Ball Room of Lotte Hotel in Seoul.

Lee Ho-min is a highly talented prospect, often referred to as 'Little Lee Dae-ho.' According to records from the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA), he played in 78 high school games with a batting average of .380 (263 at-bats, 100 hits), 8 home runs, 89 RBIs, 47 runs scored, 9 stolen bases, an on-base percentage of .442, a slugging percentage of .601, and an OPS (on-base + slugging) of 1.043. This year, he played in 20 games with a batting average of .420 (69 at-bats, 29 hits), 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 6 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.132.

KIA's organization stated, "Lee Ho-min, standing 186cm tall and weighing 94kg, is a right-handed power hitter who possesses not only strength but also exceptional contact ability. In particular, he played a pivotal role as the centerpiece of the lineup at the Asian Youth Baseball Championship held in Taiwan last September, leading his team to victory with the most RBIs (7) and runs scored (5), significantly contributing to South Korea's national team championship."

He left a particularly deep impression during the super round against Japan. When South Korea trailed 0-2, Lee Ho-min hit a solo home run to ignite the comeback. Later, in the sixth inning with the score tied at 2-2, he delivered a go-ahead two-run double, leading his team to a 3-2 victory.

Lee Ho-min is currently evaluated as a player capable of immediately playing third base, which is precisely what excites KIA fans. With Kim Do-young planning to switch to shortstop next season, if Lee Ho-min dominates at third base, the team is expected to build an infield that rivals any other in the league.

Regarding this, Manager Lee said, "We will see how he performs at third base. As a professional player, we will observe his performance during the closing camp; if he secures the position, he will play there. If not, he must spend time in the Futures League. That is simply what a professional should do. After observing him once during the closing camp, I believe we will have some answers. If he cannot handle third base, moving him to first base is also an option."

He continued, "Our plan is to try him at third base first. If it doesn't work out, we can move him to another position then. We do not assume he must play only at first base. Even if he finds third base challenging after trying it, shifting him to first base would pose no problem whatsoever. We are positively considering this approach."

Manager Lee highlighted Lee Ho-min's strengths: "His power is good, but his ability to make solid contact with the center of the ball is surprisingly excellent. Although he hit only two home runs this year, his batting average and on-base percentage are approaching .400, which is very positive. A middle-to-long-range hitter with such accuracy, if trained properly, can further enhance his power-hitting ability. His precision is remarkably high relative to his size. It is our coaching staff's responsibility to shorten the time needed for him to establish himself at the professional level. We believe that by observing and confirming things firsthand, we can prepare effectively."

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*This content was translated by AI.