“I felt that pros are different”
Kim Min-seok, who graduated from Whimoon High School, has excellent batting talent to the point of being called ‘the second Lee Jung-hoo’. Kim Min-seok’s career record in high school was 86 hits, 4 homers, batting average 0.391 OPS 1.122 in 59 games, especially in his junior year, he participated in 20 games, got 37 hits, 20 steals, batting average 0.544 OPS 1.508, wielding a bat and winning the ‘Lee Young-min Batting Award’. hugged
There is only one thing that Kim Min-seok, who has excellent qualities, regrets, the defense. Kim Min-seok played primarily as a shortstop during his high school years, but his defensive side was not highly regarded. However, the Lotte Giants decided that Min-seok Kim would be able to see more light after changing his position to the outfield or second baseman, and boldly nominated Min-seok Kim in the first round of the 2023 rookie draft.
Min-seok Kim had a busy time even before putting on the Lotte uniform. Lotte decided to send Kim Min-seok to Geelong Korea, Australia, so that he could gain experience early and realize his potential quickly. And Kim Min-seok faced players from Australia and other countries around the world, leaving 16 hits, 1 home run, 3 steals and a batting average of 0.235 OPS of 0.611 in 20 games.
Kim Min-seok returned to Korea after completing his schedule at Geelong Korea, but was soon named to the first team Guam spring camp roster. Although he has just graduated from high school, Min-seok Kim survived the intensive first camp and participated in the second spring camp, which had a schedule focused on actual matches.
Kim Min-seok, who we met at Incheon International Airport on the 20th, was surprised by the unexpected high-intensity training. He said, “I thought that the training intensity would not be high in the free atmosphere of the professional spring camp. However, I did a lot more training than I did at school.” “He expressed his impressions of the Guam spring camp.
Lotte currently has plans to utilize Kim Min-seok not only as an infielder but also as an outfielder. Because of this, Kim Min-seok brought all his infield and outfield gloves to the spring camp from the time he left for Guam. Kim Min-seok said, “In Guam, I did various training including second baseman, but I think I used more outfield gloves than infield.” said.
Kim Min-seok received a lot of advice from Yoo Kang-nam, a ‘FA transfer student’ in Guam. He has no direct relationship with Yoo Kang-nam. However, among the seniors and juniors of ‘Hwimoon Middle School’ with the same agent, Yoo Kang-nam took special care of ‘Rookie’ Min-seok Kim. He smiled, saying, “Senior Yoo Kang-nam is from Whimoon Middle School like me. 메이저놀이터 There is a part that is difficult for me to approach first, but Gangnam senior approached me first.”
Starting with Geelong Korea, Kim Min-seok is digesting a busy schedule. Kim Min-seok said, “It was really difficult for the three days after arriving in Guam. However, I got used to it as time went on. I felt a lot of things while watching the seniors.” I think I will be able to do what I have been doing,” he said with confidence.
Kim Min-seok, who is called a ‘special top prospect’, is followed by the modifier ‘the second Lee Jung-hoo’. Is there any burden on him? He said, “I think they call me that because they are from the same Whimungo High School. But there is no pressure. Rather, it seems good.” I will try my best,” he said.