The Doosan infield, where both Kim Jae-ho and Heo Kyung-min left, is centered on Lee until now

Feb 16, 2025

The Doosan infield, where both Kim Jae-ho and Heo Kyung-min left, is centered on Lee until now
photo courtesy of Doosan Bears



"I want to be a senior like a tree who can embrace my juniors."

The Doosan Bears entered the infield generation shift this season. Kim Jae-ho and Heo Kyung-min, who had kept the left line of the infield for more than 10 years, left the team at the same time. Shortstop Kim Jae-ho retired, and third baseman Huh Kyung-min transferred to KT Wiz as an FA.

The two men's ball-striker performances, especially their ability in defense, were absolute. No matter how much I tried to raise a new player, I couldn't give him a chance because no player beyond the two appeared.




Now we have to do it unconditionally. First of all, the third base put out the urgent fire with Kang Seung-ho's movement. Therefore, shortstop and second base, which Kang Seung-ho protected, became a battlefield. It's an opportunity for everyone. The person who picks it up first is the manager.

The most prominent player in the competition is Lee Yoo-chan. After graduating from Bukil High School, he joined Doosan in 2017. Until now, he has mainly served as a backup based on his good infield defense. And after Lee Seung-yeop's appointment, he caught the eye of Lee and received many opportunities. He played 104 games in the 2023 season and 103 games in the 2024 season. Both shortstop and second baseman are possible and boast accurate contact ability in hitting.

The Doosan infield, where both Kim Jae-ho and Heo Kyung-min left, is centered on Lee until now
photo courtesy of Doosan Bears
Lee was extremely reticent about the infield competition at the first spring camp in Blacktown, Australia. It was because of the idea that the competition system should not collapse yet. However, given the atmosphere on the spot, the possibility that Lee Yoo-chan could take either the shortstop or the second baseman has been mentioned here and there. As such, he has good condition and pace in the camp, and he is evaluated to have improved a lot in baseball through his experience in the past two seasons.




First of all, the starting point for shortstop is likely. This is because big gun shortstop Park Joon-young is unable to come to the first-team camp due to an injury and it is not easy to match the opening. Then Yeo Dong-gun and Oh Myung-jin can fight in the remaining second base.

Lee Yoo-chan also knows that this season is a huge opportunity for him. Lee Yoo-chan said, `I'm a player who has to show a lot from the beginning. The team won't wait much. So, I tried to pull myself up early from the camp to hit it somehow from the beginning, he said. At the same time, there is a lot of desire for ", but you can get hurt and I think about being a little more calm in my heart. Of course, I feel this season is a big opportunity. I'm trying hard to make it my place somehow" he added.

The Doosan infield, where both Kim Jae-ho and Heo Kyung-min left, is centered on Lee until now
photo courtesy of Doosan Bears
Regarding the shortstop position that Kim Jae-ho kept, Lee Yoo-chan said, `In a way, under the shadow of Jae-ho-hyung, I learned it while resting. Now that I'm not young, I'm in a position to lead by example to my juniors. I want to be a big tree like Jaeho and a shortstop that young players can see and learn," he said proudly.




In addition, Lee Yoo-chan inherited Heo Kyung-min's No. 13, who left. Lee Yoo-chan said "Kyungmin knew he was leaving, so I wanted to put the number on it so badly. At the end of the season, you will receive applications to change your uniform number. I wrote it down when I got to work that day", he told the story of preoccupying No. 13. Lee Yoo-chan continued "Indeed, Min-jae (former) who went to Lotte Giants also wore No. 13. After it became known, No. 13 'Group Chat Room' was created for Kyungmin, and Minjae. I also introduced the behind-the-scenes story, saying, `Let's meet the 13th players this season at the awards ceremony.'



This article was translated by Naver AI translator.