‘Lotte→KT→KIA’ pinch-hitting specialist, first career postseason start! “Feeling a surge of energy; the interview is even more nerve-wracking”

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

‘Pinch-hitting specialist’ Lee Ho-yeon (31, KIA Tigers) has secured his first career starting appearance on the postseason stage.

The KIA Tigers will face the Samsung Lions in Game 2 of the 2026 KBO Postseason Playoffs at Daegu Samsung Lions Park on the 27th. The name that stood out most in the starting lineup announced before the game was undoubtedly Lee Ho-yeon’s. Lee is set to start as the No. 2 designated hitter today.

Lee, who has primarily served as a ‘pinch-hitter’ aiming for a key hit in late-game critical moments, finds this starting appearance to hold special significance. This marks his first postseason start since turning pro.

Lee began his professional career with the Lotte Giants, moved through the KT Wiz, and donned the KIA uniform ahead of this season via the second-round draft. He is no stranger to the autumn stage. In four playoff games during the 2023 season while with KT, he appeared solely as a pinch-hitter, recording one hit in three at-bats. He also played in two games that year’s Korea Series, handling three at-bats.

In this season’s postseason after joining KIA, Lee again entered both of the first two games as a pinch-hitter, hitting one home run and driving in one run in two at-bats to showcase sharp batting skills. However, making the starting lineup for the autumn festival is a first for him. In the regular season as well, Lee has performed his role as a ‘pinch-hitting specialist’ well. His stats this season across 34 games are unremarkable: a .234 batting average (15 hits in 64 at-bats), one home run, nine RBIs, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of .706. However, his pinch-hitting success rate is .500. In simple terms, this means he records a hit roughly half the time when he comes in as a pinch-hitter.

Meeting with reporters on-site ahead of the game, Lee Ho-yeon said, “I was a bit nervous when I first heard about starting, but now it feels the same,” adding with a wide smile, “Honestly, this situation right now, where I’m being interviewed by the press, is the most tense and surreal for me.”

It truly was a surprise start. Lee said, “I didn’t expect it at all. I felt a brief moment of tension after seeing the lineup, but I’m fine now,” continuing, “Every batter wants to start. When going in as a pinch-hitter, the at-bat ends in just minutes or seconds, so I had to concentrate intensely during that short window. Since I’m starting today, I will maintain that level of focus throughout the game.”

Today, Lee was placed in the No. 2 batting order, ahead of the team’s core power hitters known as ‘Donas’—Kim Do-young, Na Seong-beom, and Castro. His role as a link connecting the top of the lineup to the middle is crucial. On this point, Lee emphasized, “My job is to somehow connect opportunities to the middle of the lineup, such as (Kim) Do-young behind me, hyung (older teammate) (Na) Seong-beom, and hyung (Kim) Sun-bin.” He added, “There are so many good batters behind me, so if a good pitch comes, I will swing aggressively and quickly, focusing on getting on base.”

The fact that the entire team is enjoying the autumn festival atmosphere is also a great strength. Lee stated, “Our team, whether seniors or juniors, is all enjoying the postseason like a festival together,” noting, “Because the players are all having fun, I feel something boiling up inside me as well. My preparation to run is complete. I will contribute to the team’s victory so that we can achieve a good result today.”

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original