The baby lion broke 9 and finally hit 10 home runs for the first time in his debut. This is the story of Samsung Lions Lee Jae-hyun (20).
Lee Jae-hyun started as shortstop 9 in an away game against SSG Landers in the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 11th and recorded 1 hit in 3 at-bats (1 home run), 1 walk and 1 run.
Lee Jae-hyun, who struck out in the first at-bat in the third inning, did not just walk away in the second at-bat. At the beginning of the 5th inning, when the team was 2-2, SSG starter Oh Won-seok hit a 140km fastball on the 3rd pitch and hit a big ball. It was a come-from-behind solo gun that went over the left fence. Season 10. This is the moment he achieved a double-digit home run for the first time since his debut. It has been five years since Kim Sang-soo (33, KT).
Lee Jae-hyun’s home run played a decisive role in Samsung’s 5-4 victory and became the final shot.
Lee Jae-hyun, who wore a Samsung uniform with the first nomination in 2022, recorded a batting average of 0.236, 7 homers, 23 RBIs and 23 points in 75 games in the first year of his debut. He pitched 566⅓ innings defensively. He pitched 30 innings at second base, 156 at third base, and 380⅓ innings at shortstop.
And this year, his sophomore season, he was definitely in place. He only plays as a shortstop. He’s showing signs of becoming a great shortstop with his offense here as well.
It starts with 10 home runs. In particular, he ranks first among shortstops in home runs. Now, there is a gap of four points from Kim Joo-won (NC), who placed second.
Lee Jae-hyun, who we met after the game, said, “At the beginning of the season, I thought I wanted to hit a double-digit home run. However, as I entered the season, I liked going to games rather than home runs. So I didn’t think of a home run.” If I hit one more, it’s 10, so I wanted a home run to come out quickly.”
Regarding the home run situation, he smiled, saying, “The timing was late in the first at-bat. So, I hit it with the idea of hitting it faster in the second at-bat.꽁머니
It is no exaggeration to say that Lee Jae-hyeon is the next-generation infield commander who will succeed Park Jin-man and Kim Sang-soo as shortstops in the Lion Corps.
Lee Jae-hyun said, “It’s such an honor to me. It’s an honor just to have my name mentioned like this. The coach was the best shortstop in Korea. I will do my best to continue that reputation.”