“Min-jae is now a mainstay on our team.”
One of the players LG Twins manager Yoon Kyung-yeop is constantly praising is infielder Shin Min-jae, 27.
After playing for Seoheung-secondary, Dong-Incheon middle and Incheon high schools, Shin broke into the professional ranks as a 2015 Doosan Developmental Player, and has been playing for the first team since the 2019 season. With his quick feet, he was primarily used as a pinch hitter and defender, but he never rose above the backup role.
His playing time dwindled. After appearing in 81 games in 2019 and recording 10 stolen bases, he played in 68 games in 2020, 32 games in 2021, and only 14 games in 2022.
This season, however, was the season that fans finally recognized the name Shin Min-jae. At the beginning of the season, he played the same role as a big hitter and a big defender, but he burst onto the scene in June when Seo Ji-chang’s slump and Kim Min-sung’s injury forced the LG second baseman to take over.
After getting more playing time in June, Shin Min-jae followed up his .275 batting average in June with a whopping .372 batting average in July. In addition to his steady defense, Shin’s speed has allowed him to lead the team in stolen bases. He is having a career-high season, batting .323 with 43 hits, 12 doubles, 27 runs, and 24 stolen bases.
“Min-jae is now a mainstay in our team,” said Yoon Kyung-yeop, who met her on the field on the 5th. She is one of LG Hit’s products this season. I think she can challenge for the Golden Glove if she wins the stolen base title and hits 3%.” “This year seems to be an unforgettable year in Min-jae’s baseball life. I think his baseball life has changed,” he smiled.
He gave some heartfelt words of advice to Shin Min-jae, who overcame a long backup career to become a starter.
“I told Minjae one thing. I told her, ‘Don’t forget your desperation, and you’ll keep your place. But if you don’t, your spot will be taken by someone else. Always keep that feeling in your heart. You have to have fun, you have to work hard, you have to be desperate,” he said.
“I told him from the final training session last year. I said, ‘You are unconditionally in the first team. I need you in my baseball program,'” he said. When I saw him in the second team, he had good contact and direction, so I put him in the outfield and second base together. Fortunately, I’m seeing good results now,” he added.
While Shin is happy for Min-jae, the head coach, Yeom Kyung-yup, is just as proud of the growth of his student who has been waiting in the background.메이저놀이터
“I’m happy for Minjae, but I’m also very happy for me. He’s a young player. She can still play for six or seven years. He can bring diversity to the team,” he said.
He continued, “Fans like hard-working players and baseball. Minjae’s image is being solidified as a hardworking and sincere player. I think it’s the manager’s job to create the image of the player and create value.”
Shin Min-jae went hitless in three at-bats for the Daegu Samsung Electronics on the 5th, but showed his presence with his reliable defense. Shin’s baseball career is just beginning.