Father's smile, seal clap, and high-five set are Hong Min-ki, the best pitching, and the starting player.

Jun 19, 2025

Father's smile, seal clap, and high-five set are Hong Min-ki, the best pitching, and the starting player.
Lotte-KT match held at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on the 11th. Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung is watching the training. Suwon = Reporter Jeong Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.6.11/



"It was the best pitching ever."

Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyung, who is stingy with praise, also gave a thumbs-up without hesitation. This means that he performed surprisingly well. It's about Hong Min-ki, a rookie pitcher in his sixth year.

Hong Min-ki took the mound as a surprise starter in the game against the Hanwha Eagles at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 18th. The starting position is empty due to Park Se-woong and Kim Jin-wook's second leg. Director Kim ambitiously took out Hong Min-ki's card. I only saw the ability to throw a fast ball over 150 kilometers with my left-hander. The catcher was also a high school graduate rookie Park Jae-yeop who matched 'set'. Director Kim said, `Whether you two get killed or if you make a meal, you should try it," he said with a smile.




But Hong Min-ki showed a big twist. He made a three-out inning from the first inning. A strike 153 km below the first pitch. He threw a maximum of 155 kilometers of balls on the day. He pitched a scoreless game until the fourth inning. In the meantime, his team went on a 6-0 run. If he only lasted five innings, he could meet the requirements for a winning pitcher. However, he was replaced after receiving consecutive hits as soon as the start of the fifth inning. In the end, one runner came in and lost one point. But it was amazing. After one temporary start last year, I couldn't believe it was a game for a player who made his second professional start. Moreover, he was playing as a bullpen, not a starter, in the second division this year. It was simply a gritty throw.

Father's smile, seal clap, and high-five set are Hong Min-ki, the best pitching, and the starting player.
The game between Hanwha and Lotte at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 18th, Lotte Hong Min-ki and Park Jae-yeop are talking to pitching coach Joo Hyung-kwang, who takes the mound to replace him in the top of the 5th inning. Busan = Reporter's book @sportschosun.com/2025.06.18/
Coach Kim, who met ahead of the Hanwha match on the 19th, said, "As soon as Hong Min-ki's name came out, it was the best pitching."," he said with a bright smile. Coach Kim said, "I thought I would throw mid-to-late 140 kilometers and exceed 150 kilometers for one or two, but I got a lot of speed." It was the best pitching ever. I will start for the time being. There is no reason not to start when he throws such a good ball.

Of course, as a starter, you have to increase your physical strength in the game. Manager Kim said "I'm going to the mound in the fifth inning, and I heard that my thighs have already come up. In the fifth inning, there was a clear difference in speed. The strength of the game needs to be increased little by little," he stressed.




Coach Kim greeted Hong Min-ki with a 'Daddy smile' and 'Seal clap' when he came down from pitching, and even suggested a high-five first. It is unusual for Kim, who is usually blunt, not only to applaud but also to offer high-fives first. Kim sometimes says \. Jeong Cheol-won was embarrassed, saying, "He comes to do it first."

Along with Hong Min-ki, Park Jae-yeop also performed tremendously, including a three-run home run in the final and wearing a catcher mask until the end of the ninth inning. Which of the two players would have been happier. Manager Kim said "I didn't expect a home run, but Park Jae-yeop knew how to play to some extent. But I didn't know Hong Min Gi would be that good" gave a hint in response.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.