[Official] 'Two-time champion catcher' Kim Min-sik released by former team SSG... 'Unfulfilled power hitter' Ryu Hyeo-seung announces retirement

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Catcher Kim Min-sik (37), who led the KIA Tigers to their 11th championship, received notice from the SSG Landers that they would not offer him a contract renewal.

On the 12th, the SSG Landers announced, "We have decided not to proceed with contract renewals for certain players and coaching staff for next season, and we have carried out additional roster adjustments."

Kim Min-sik was drafted by the SK Wyverns (predecessor of SSG) in the 11th pick of the second round in 2012. In 2017, he moved to KIA through a four-for-three trade. From his first year after the transfer, he established himself as KIA's starting catcher and led the team to its 11th Korea Series championship.

After playing for KIA until 2021, Kim Min-sik returned to his former team SSG in May 2022 through a one-for-two trade. He subsequently received consistent opportunities and set a rare record by experiencing another championship immediately upon transferring teams.

Kim Min-sik, who had secured more playing time in 2023, saw his opportunities drastically decrease starting in 2024. In 2025, he was not called up to the first division even once, and this season he appeared in only 14 games. He was pushed out not only by national team catcher Jo Hyeong-woo but also by Shin Beom-su and Kim Min-beom, failing to secure significant opportunities even in the Futures League.

Ryu Hyeo-seung (30) announced his retirement. Ryu Hyeo-seung began his professional career with SK in the sixth round of the second draft in 2020. After a long period as an unknown player, he hit six home runs and drove in 16 runs in 27 games last year, even securing guaranteed playing time after the season ended.

However, with the acquisition of Kim Jae-hwan, who took over the designated hitter position, Ryu Hyeo-seung's opportunities naturally decreased due to his shortcomings in outfield defense. He received two call-ups to the first division in April and July but failed to produce notable results. He finished the season with a .160 batting average (four hits in 25 at-bats), one home run, one RBI, and one run scored in nine games.

Injuries were also an issue. Although he is a player who could continue his career for a long time, repeated knee injuries ultimately led him to choose retirement.

SSG explained, "Gil Ji-seok and Ryu Hyeo-seung expressed their intention to retire through meetings with the club, and the club has decided to respect the players' decisions."

Among pitchers, Gil Ji-seok; among catchers, Kim Min-sik; and among position players, Kim Chang-pyeong, Kim Tae-yoon, and Ryu Hyeo-seung will be leaving the team.

The club also conveyed its intention not to renew contracts for four coaching staff members—coaches Na Kyung-min, Ryu Taek-hyun, Lee Young-wook, and Gwak Hyun-hee—for next season.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original