The reason why a 171 cm short runner hit 30%, hit and run? No, I did ‘self-swing’
LG Shin Min-jae is quietly breaking the prejudice of small and fast players. Shin Min-jae does not want a hit that touches him and sprints to survive at first base.
The LG Twins won 11-2 against SSG Landers in the ‘2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO League’ held at SSG Landers Field in Incheon on the 19th. Shin Min-jae, the second hitter and second baseman, was responsible for about a third of the team’s points. If Shin Min-jae hit, it would be a big inning. He pulled in the third inning and hit a come-from-behind double with two RBIs and a timely double with two RBIs, and pushed in the bases loaded in the eighth inning and hit two RBIs on time.
The 4 RBIs was a new record for Shin Min-jae’s most RBIs in one game. On the 12th, he surpassed himself in a week after scoring 3 RBIs against Kiwoom in Jamsil. It is a career high season in all categories, including the most games, most at bats, most hits, and most stolen bases in a season since his debut. Shin Min-jae’s life has changed from a professional runner who had no promise of when he would come at bat to a starting second baseman. His season batting average of 0.323 is an indicator of that qualification.
Coach Yeom Kyung-yeop wrote Shin Min-jae as the second hitter in the lineup for the last 7 games. Shin Min-jae said, “I think the same as when I hit the ninth. It’s not enough, but I think it will be okay if I prepare more.”
He said he would polish his bunt more, but now the reason Shin Min-jae can show his presence in the second batting order is his swing. It’s encouraging that he’s showing talent at bat. He’s not the type to hit long, but he’s good at making balls in play and playing for survival. However, he doesn’t hit for luck in the way of ‘hit and run’. For Shin Min-jae, hitting the infield is not a goal, but a by-product.스포츠토토
Shin Min-jae said, “I hit the ball that I really think I can’t hit, but I try to swing at other times. I also ask my brother. If I’m going to hit and go out anyway, I received advice to make my swing stronger. He told me that at the bat earlier. The coaches also said that it would be better to hit and run, so I’m doing that.”
Coach Yeom Gyeong-yeop set aside time for batting training for Shin Min-jae from the spring camp. Shin Min-jae said, “Even during early work (early training) or extra (additional training) at camp, I did a lot of baserunning with defense, but the coach put hits. I don’t know when I’ll be at bat (because it’s a large runner), but (batting training) helped me. After becoming this, I prepared more. The coaches also helped me a lot,” he looked back.
He decided that he couldn’t survive by touching and running, not because someone told him to. Shin Min-jae said, “These days, I feel like I’m out of shape because I can’t swing harder. If I feel it, people who watch it feel bigger.
If you hit, you will have a chance to steal. Shin Min-jae is leading the division with 28 stolen bases until the 19th. This is his chance to win his first individual title in his debut. When asked about the stealing king, Shin Min-jae said, “It would be nice to do it, but now the team atmosphere is good and we are winning, so I try not to play unless it is certain. To be honest, I am greedy. I will continue to challenge when the situation arises.”