“I thought it would work out.”
Drafted by the Lotte Giants with the third overall pick in the first round of the 2023 First-Year Player Draft, Kim has been the lifeblood of the team since his rookie season, earning a spot in the middle infield. This season, he’s batting .260 with two home runs, 24 RBIs and a .656 OPS in 70 games.안전놀이터
With his skill and popularity, Kim enjoyed the stage of his dreams at the 2023 KBO All-Star Game held at Sajik Stadium on May 15. He was the only rookie in the 2023 class to be named to the All-Star Best 12, and only the fourth time in history that a high school rookie has been named to the Best 12.
Kim has been called the “next Lee Jung-hoo” and the “heir to Lee Jung-hoo,” and he’s emerging as the next big thing to follow in the footsteps of the league’s best players. With Lee set to join the major leagues after this season, there’s a good chance we won’t see him in the KBO for years to come.
Lee is six years his junior, having played at the same school as Kim Min-seok. “He (Kim) went to a good school,” Lee said. It’s the most prestigious school in Gangnam District 8. It’s not easy to go to school in Daechi-dong,” he smiled.
Even during his time at Whimungo, Kim Min-seok’s talent was exceptional. “When I would go to practice at school, the coach would tell me that (Kim) was good,” said Lee, who remembered Min-seok as a high school student. “I thought he was going to be good, but it’s strange that we got to play together in the All-Star Game.”
Kim Min-seok received some unforgettable advice from Lee Jung-hoo. “(Lee) Jung-hoo came to me first and gave me advice and cheered me on. He always says, ‘You’re going to be better than me,’” he said, adding that it was heartwarming.
Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Min-seok were foes in the All-Star Game, with Lee going 1-for-2 with a home run, a walk, and two runs scored, while Kim finished 1-for-3 with a home run, a walk, and a run scored. After showing off his dancing skills at the All-Star Game, Kim was honored with the Best Performance Award.