Samsung Lions manager Park Jin-man was famous as a shortstop when he was an active player. His amazing defense throughout his career with the Hyundai Unicorns, Samsung and SK Wyverns caught the attention of fans.안전놀이터
He also participated in a number of international competitions, including the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the 2006 World Baseball Classic (WBC), and the 2008 Beijing Olympics, showing the power of Korean baseball.
It is Lee Jae-hyun who is growing up under coach Park Jin-man. Lee Jae-hyun wore the Samsung uniform as the first candidate in 2022 after graduating from Seoul High School. The last first player to be nominated by Samsung.
Lee Jae-hyun, who had a batting average of 0.23554 hits, seven homers, 23 RBIs and 23 runs scored in 75 games in the 2022 season, recorded a batting average of 0.249 114 hits, 12 homers, 60 RBIs and 61 runs in 143 games in the 2023 season. He had his first triple-digit hits and double-digit homers since his debut.
He missed one game last season due to injury, but played in 143 games. He pitched 1156.1 innings on defense, ranking third overall in the KBO League and the first among all infielders in the KBO League.
Lee Jae-hyun, who played with symptoms of dislocation of his left shoulder after the end of last season, underwent surgery for his left shoulder joint after the end of the season. However, Park Jin-man also showed incredible resilience and returned to the team on April 13. He surprised everyone who expected him to return from May to June.
He is keeping Samsung’s infield strong with more profitable plays than last season. He has a batting average of 0.262 with 100 hits, 14 homers, 65 RBIs and 69 runs in 106 games this season. He had multi-hitters in the match against Suwon KT Wiz on the 19th, completing 100 hits for two consecutive years.
What is most stable is defense. He is playing 839.1 innings in defense. He is fourth in defense. His defense rate is 97.5 percent, the highest among the seven players who played 700 innings in defense.
Coach Park Jin-man also applauded when he saw Lee Jae-hyun, who is stable in defense and gives a cool hit whenever the team needs to be a big help. Lee Jae-hyun was listed on the preliminary list of the 2024 WBSC Premier 12 based on his performance this season, and Park Jin-man, who said he could get on board enough.
Coach Park Jin-man said, “Lee Jae-hyun is a talented player. He was absent due to surgery in the early days of the season, but he is playing regularly without any physical problems. He is a player with the ability and skills to make the national team.”
Coach Park Jin-man also experienced numerous international competitions. There is another tension with the KBO League.
“It helps a lot for a player to grow. I feel more relaxed. After participating in an international competition, I feel more free from obsession or pressure,” Park said.
“By the way, Lee Jae-hyun is still relaxed and plays so well. When he returns, he will broaden his horizons and become a better player,” he said.
Will Lee Jae-hyun be able to make the Premier 12 shortlist.