Lotte veteran's retirement ceremony, and Jeon Min-jae explodes with 3 RBIs every time! 'Transfer player' Jeon Min-jae's special farewell: "Senior Kim Min-seong always approached me first; I am truly grateful"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

On the day another Lotte Giants veteran left the field, Jeon Min-jae (27) once again gifted a victory.

In the home game against the LG Twins at Busan Sajik Baseball Stadium on the 9th during the 2026 Shinhan SOL KBO League regular season, Jeon started as the fifth batter and shortstop, recording two hits in four at-bats (one home run), three RBIs, and two runs to lead Lotte to a decisive 9-1 victory.

His bat was fierce from his first at-bat. Facing Carlos Karasco in the bottom of the second inning, Jeon fell into an unfavorable count after being struck by a sinker fastball and a curveball, but he did not miss a slider thrown to the middle of the plate, connecting for a single to left field.

The real blow came in the seventh inning. With Lotte leading 4-1 and runners on first and third with two outs, Jeon pulled a fastball aimed at Woo Kang-hoon's body. The ball sailed just over the left-field fence, resulting in a three-run home run with a carry of 115 meters. It was his ninth home run of the season. Including Jeon's blast, Lotte scored five runs in the seventh inning alone, effectively ending the game.

The day held even more special significance because it was also the retirement ceremony for veteran Kim Min-seong (38). This is not the first time Jeon has brilliantly decorated a senior's final appearance this year.

At the retirement ceremony for Jung Hoon (39) on June 26, also against LG, Jeon was once again the star. In a tense pitching duel where Lotte and LG each managed only five hits, Jeon recorded two hits in three at-bats with three RBIs, accounting for all of Lotte's runs. He hit a two-run double down the right-field line in the fifth inning and completed the 3-2 victory with a one-run double to left-center field in the seventh.

About three months later, on the day Kim Min-seong departed, Jeon was again responsible for three RBIs. After the game, Jeon said, "Following my selection as the Most Valuable Player at Senior Jung Hoon's retirement ceremony, being named MVP at Senior (Kim) Min-seong's ceremony made this a particularly meaningful game for me personally." He added, "I received help and advice from both seniors in many areas beyond baseball. I always carry a sense of gratitude." He further stated, "I am happy to have been able to contribute, even slightly, to the team's victory on such a good day."

As he saw his seniors leave one by one, Jeon himself had grown into the center of Lotte's infield. After attending Cheonan Namsan Elementary School, Cheonan Buk Middle School, and Daejeon High School, Jeon was drafted in the fourth round of the second pick in the 2018 KBO Rookie Draft to join the Doosan Bears. He spent a long time as a backup. Although he debuted in the first division in his rookie year, he managed only 77 games and 77 at-bats over the following six seasons.

After gradually expanding his opportunities with 100 games and 276 at-bats in 2024, he reached a turning point in his life. Following the end of that season, he donned the Lotte uniform via a two-for-three trade alongside draft classmate Jung Cheol-won (27).

At the time of the trade, he was not the most notable name. However, Jeon showed his presence in the starting competition from his first season after the transfer and took another step up this year. Ahead of the season, he revealed his earnestness by saying, "I have prepared a lot. I will firmly grasp any opportunity." Toward the end of the season, despite handling many innings, he humbled himself by stating, "I am not yet a starter. I need to do this for at least three more years."

The results were reflected in his numbers. Through this game, he has appeared in 137 games, recording a .279 batting average (128 hits in 459 at-bats), nine home runs, 70 RBIs, 50 runs, and 13 stolen bases, with an on-base percentage of .329, a slugging percentage of .383, and an OPS of .712. He is now just one home run away from his first double-digit home run total in his career.

However, Jeon did not place great importance on the 10th-home-run mark. "I am not particularly conscious of the 10th-home-run record," he said. "Rather than chasing statistics, I want to focus on making plays that help the team in every game." He added, "I believe that if I prepare calmly as I have done so far, good results will naturally follow."

It remains a regret that Lotte did not achieve the performance expected this season. Jeon reflected, "The team's record did not meet expectations, which is disappointing, but personally, it was a time when I could grow to the next level through many experiences."

He also did not forget to express gratitude toward Kim Min-seong, who accompanied him until the end. Jeon said, "Although there is a large gap in our years of service with Senior (Kim) Min-seong, he always approached me first and treated me comfortably to the point where I never felt that difference." He continued, "Every word he gave me on and off the field was a great source of strength, and he was very helpful during difficult moments." He concluded by vowing, "I sincerely support Senior's future. I will not forget the mindset I learned from him and will strive to become an even better player."

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original