Recruitment of Jang Seung-hyun, 1 billion FA catcher with no relationship with Kang Min-ho... The birth of a perfect master is so difficult

Nov 21, 2025

Recruitment of Jang Seung-hyun, 1 billion FA catcher with no relationship with Kang Min-ho... The birth of a perfect master is so difficult
The second round of PO between Samsung and Hanwha held at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 19th. In the top of the ninth inning, Kang Min-ho hit a two-run home run and cheered with two outs and a runner on first base. Daejeon = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.10.19/



Doosan Bears catcher Jang Seung-hyun (31) will wear the Samsung Lions uniform.

Jang Seung-hyun was selected by Samsung as the eighth overall pick of the second round in the second draft held on the 19th.

Samsung's catcher selection in the second draft market was somewhat foreseen.




The move, coupled with veteran catcher Kang Min-ho (40)'s fourth FA application, could have left room for a different interpretation. However, it was not related to Kang Min-ho's future as the league's best catcher.

There is no change in the contract policy with Kang Min-ho. However, since it is a catcher who consumes a lot of physical strength, it is only necessary for both sides to discuss the contract period and total amount.

Recruitment of Jang Seung-hyun, 1 billion FA catcher with no relationship with Kang Min-ho... The birth of a perfect master is so difficult
In an exhibition game between KIA and Doosan held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 14th, Doosan catcher Jang Seung-hyun is defending. Jamsil = Reporter Heo Sang-wook wook@sportschosun.com /2025.03.14/
There is no intention to occupy a favorable position for negotiations with Kang Min-ho by recruiting Jang Seung-hyun.




This is because he was not recruited as the main catcher. Jang Seung-hyun is a backup catcher who will share Samsung's home turf with Kim Jae-sung, Lee Byung-hun and Kim Do-hwan.

Samsung has also been looking for a catcher to ease Kang's burden during the season.

There was a need for a mid-sized master who could fill the gap until the growth of young prospect catchers. In fact, Samsung also explored the trade market to recruit a second catcher.




"The recruitment of Jang Seung-hyun has nothing to do with the negotiation of Kang Min-ho," a Samsung official said. "We need time for young catchers such as Park Jin-woo to grow up sufficiently."

Recruitment of Jang Seung-hyun, 1 billion FA catcher with no relationship with Kang Min-ho... The birth of a perfect master is so difficult
The game between Samsung and Doosan held at Jamsil Baseball Stadium on the 26th, and Kang Min-ho, with two outs and runners on first base, is comforting Yang Eui-ji, who was hit in the critical spot at Kim Young-woong's at-bat before taking the batter's box in the top of the second inning. Jamsil= Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.08.26/
As such, the market is in short supply of key catchers.

This is because it takes a long time to nurture due to the nature of the position. Comprehensive capabilities such as pitcher lead, steal blocking, blocking, and hitting are required. However, if you fail at all, you cannot become the main catcher.

Moreover, experience is needed. However, it is difficult to gain hands-on experience. This is because it is difficult to put an inexperienced player in the catcher position, which has to lead the mound, which is directly related to victory or defeat. It is a vicious cycle in which there are no actual opportunities and growth is slow. This is why the existing main catchers, which have been established in advance, are in power for a long time.

Veteran catcher duo Yang Eui-ji and Kang Min-ho have divided catcher Golden Gloves for as many as 14 years from 2011 to last year. Following last year's Kang Min-ho, if Yang Eui-ji wins again this year, it will continue to be a two-way race for 15 years.
Recruitment of Jang Seung-hyun, 1 billion FA catcher with no relationship with Kang Min-ho... The birth of a perfect master is so difficult
The KBO League exhibition game between Lotte and KIA at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 9th. KIA catcher Han Seung-taek checks the 'Peachcom' earphone. Busan = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.03.09/
KT Wiz, whose veteran catcher Jang Sung-woo (35) qualified as an FA, also signed an FA contract with KIA catcher Han Seung-taek on the 20th on the condition of up to 1 billion won for four years. This also does not mean breaking up with first catcher Jang Sung-woo.

Jang Seung-hyun, who wore Doosan's uniform as the 36th in the fourth round in 2013, has been active in the first team since 2018 after completing his military service at the National Police Agency. He has a batting average of 0.205 with five homers and 52 RBIs in 319 games in eight seasons. He is a defensive catcher with strong shoulders, fast pop time and stable pitching lead.

The type of homebody who can finish the game stably even if he is deployed in the second half of the game. Samsung's saturated second catcher competition is expected to become fiercer in the new season, including Kim Jae-sung, Lee Byung-hun and Kim Do-hwan.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.