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| KIA-LG match held at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on the 6th. In the top of the third inning, second baseman Shin Min-jae throws to first base during Kim Tae-gun's double play with one out. Jamsil = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.4.6/ |
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"It was definitely not enough defense..."
LG Twins' Shin Min-jae is a 'best hit product' made by manager Yeom Kyung-yeop. LG's long-cherished business, which has not been solved for decades, and the main second baseman problem have been solved.
Before jumping to the starting lineup, it was recognized as a quick-footed 'one-tool player'. At best, he was a runner. If he had been recognized for his defense, he could have increased his chances of playing more, but it was true that he was not well-received in the infield defense.
However, coach Yeom watched Shin Min-jae's potential after taking over the team ahead of the 2023 season. Of course, coach Yeom also said "When I first saw it, there were definitely a lot of problems with defense." However, he highly appreciated his serious attitude and passion for baseball. I thought he was a player who could save a huge weapon called fast foot if he stepped up a little bit of ball and number.
And that potential has been properly unleashed. He became the main second baseman of the 2023 season's winning team. Last season, he played 128 games and reached the threshold of batting average of 297 and 30%. After the end of the season, he was also selected for the Premier 12 national team.
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| A game between KIA and LG at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 4th, and LG Song Seung-ki, with two outs and runners on the first and third bases, is thanking Shin Min-jae for catching KIA Na Sung-bum's straight hit to second baseman in the top of the fourth inning. Jamsil= Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.04.04/ |
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This year, the skills are in full bloom. He has a record of .38 percent in 13 games. What's more surprising than hitting is defense. It is no exaggeration to say that the current performance is the league's best second base defense. In the match against the Kiwoom Heroes on the 9th, Choi Joo-hwan in the third inning and Jeon Tae-hyun in the fourth inning were also eliminated like pictures. From flying the body to the difficult ball to the subsequent throwing motion, it is too smooth. These are defenses that should be praised for 'Hosu-bi', but they look so comfortable. Fast feet have been sublimated into a new strength of securing a wide range of defense. It's early in the season, but there's not one error.
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| A game between the LG Twins and the Hanwha Eagles at Jamsil Stadium on the 26th. LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop welcomes Shin Min-jae, who scored. Jamsil = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.03.26/ |
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Coach Yeom said of Shin Min-jae's defense, which has become more profitable this season, `The more you go, the better your skills get. It's completely different from the first time I saw it. As he continued to play in the game, his confidence increased. It has changed just by looking at the pivot play of the double play. I'm relaxed. It's really grown a lot."
I left it still, but this development cannot happen. Coach Yeom said, `The first step is that our defense part coaches always emphasize to our infielders. I made you practice this a lot. As the first step improves, all defenses become smooth."
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| The LG-KT match held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 2nd. LG Shin Min-jae is training before the game. Suwon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.4.2/ |
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He also mentioned the effect of national representation. Coach Yeom said, `Didn't you play for the national team last year. This gives a player a lot of confidence. He has already been recognized as a second baseman. I can see that he has grown even more since he went to the national team."
Shin Min-jae has been a link in No. 2 with Moon Sung-joo out due to injury. When Moon Sung-joo comes, he goes down to the bottom batting order. However, it is not just a low-order hitter who is weak in hitting, but it should play an important role in creating chances in the top batting order. Coach Yeom said, `Just like defense, the offense is getting better. Shin Min-jae expressed his trust, saying, "There is plenty of room for further development than now."
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
