Solving shortstop's problems? Did the 141km fastball make a blood hole…Young but good, master's praise awakens 21-year-old shortstop's potential

Apr 03, 2025

롯데 이호준. Reporter Kim Young-rok

KBO League match between Hanwha and Lotte at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 2nd. Lotte's Lee Ho-joon hit an RBI triple in the second inning. Daejeon =Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.04.02/

"The opportunity for the first team came faster than I thought. I want to gain a lot of experience without making mistakes like now."

Will Lotte Giants' long-standing shortstop concern finally end. In his second year, 21-year-old Lee Ho-joon is the main character of such expectations.

In his first meeting of the season with the Hanwha Eagles at Hanwha Life Ball Park on the 2nd, Lee Ho-joon led his team to victory by scoring two hits, one RBI and one run from three times at bat. In defense, he was praised for his calm and agile defense.

In the Lotte shortstop game, which was originally expected to be a competition between experienced Park Seung-wook and Jeon Min-jae, second-year Lee Ho-joon and military pen rookie Han Tae-yang are emerging as variables.

Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung said of Lee Ho-joon, `I still lack experience, but I'm good. The defense was praised as being the highest (of the candidates for the shortstop)."

We also have to wait and see about the sun. He lacks confidence. "I'm thinking about whether I should continue to be in the first team or go to the second team and play more games," he said, adding that he had good qualities. He has a good sense of baseball, and the movement of following the ball to the first bound is very good. My shoulders are not bad", he commented.

It's up to the rest of the players to do it themselves. Following the spring camp-pilot game, the head coach is constantly giving opportunities and watching even after the opening of the regular season.

Lee Ho-joon, a native of Sangwon High School in Daegu, wore a Lotte uniform in the third round of the 2024 rookie draft. In the same year, Jung Hyun-soo in the second round and Park Joon-woo in the fourth round are also active in the first team. Especially about Park Joon-woo "We share the same accommodation now. My best friend who eats delicious food together..." he said, expressing a strong friendship.

He hit an RBI triple in the second inning against Moon Dong-joo, and walked out after being hit by Hanwha pitcher Cho Dong-wook's fastball in the second at-bat. In the last at-bat, he appeared as a leadoff hitter and had a hit.

KBO League match between Hanwha and Lotte at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 2nd. Lotte's hitting Lee Ho-joon. Daejeon =Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.04.02/

Lee Ho-joon, who met after the game, said "The first-team opportunity came sooner than I thought. "Defending is more advantageous than hitting, and the player in a position that needs to be good at defense is the goal of this year to gain experience by steadily receiving opportunities in the future."

Director Kim Tae-hyung's praise was engraved on the back of his mind, saying, `You are fast on your feet and your shoulders are strong.' He has good shoulders, but he is a player who is particularly focused on the weak footwork. Lee Ho-joon said "When I was young, KT Wiz's Kim Sang-soo was my role model"

Regarding the moment of the triple, "I only saw one fastball and hit it. They hit it off well, leading to good results. I ran because I thought I could get to third base."

When hit by a dune, the dugout atmosphere was even more excited with hot cheers. When asked if his blood is pierced, he said, "I think so" returned the answer.

"I was more proud than I thought I was sick. If I get hit and go out, wouldn't the team atmosphere live. Coach Lee Sung-gon said 'Don't think about avoiding it when you come to your body, but I felt proud when I tried to get it right. I think I've contributed to the team today."

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.