On the 11th, the second game of the doubleheader between the Lotte Giants and KT Wiz held at Suwon KT Wiz Park ended in a 1-1 draw amid headshot controversy.

Especially from Lotte's perspective, it could only be a painful and frustrating game. On the 29th of last month against Kiwoom, infielder Jeon Min-jae, who was leading in batting average at the time, was hit directly on the helmet by a 140 km fastball from Kiwoom pitcher Yang Ji-yul. He found himself in a terrifying situation due to the headshot. Although he avoided major injuries, he was removed from the first-team roster.

However, at a time less than two weeks later, and with two players hit by headshots in one game, Lee Ho-jun, who came to bat with one out and runners on first and second base in the top of the fourth inning, was hit on the helmet by a 130 km slider from KT starter Oh Won-seok. While trying to dodge the ball, he turned back and was hit in the back of the head. Lee Ho-jun was taken to the hospital on a stretcher while wearing a neck brace. Although it wasn't a fastball, he suffered a considerable impact.

Then, in the eighth inning, leadoff hitter Son Seong-bin was again hit on the helmet by Son Dong-hyun's 125 km forkball. This time it was a breaking ball, so he was not ejected, but having two instances of headshots in one game was a rare sight. The atmosphere of the game naturally became chaotic. Nonetheless, there were no incidents like bench-clearing. KT manager Lee Kang-cheol also came onto the field to express his apologies to Lotte manager Kim Tae-hyung.

With the two headshots, the atmosphere at the stadium remained unsettled as the game concluded. KT captain Jang Seong-woo and veteran pitcher Woo Kyu-min went to Lotte veterans Jeon Jun-woo and Jung Hoon to repeatedly apologize.

The focus of the game itself could only be on the two headshots. However, the standout player for Lotte that day was Lee Min-seok, the starting pitcher and the last first-round draft pick for Lotte in 2022, who delivered an outstanding performance. Lee Min-seok threw 104 pitches over six innings, allowing five hits, two walks, and one run, showcasing a career-defining performance.

He completed his career-defining performance with 39 four-seam fastballs reaching a maximum velocity of 155 km, 51 sliders, nine changeups, and five curves. He recorded his first quality start in his debut and also set a record for most pitches thrown. He showed no signs of chronic control issues or balance problems. With 56 strikes and 44 balls, he maintained a relatively stable ratio.

Against the leadoff hitter Hwang Jae-kyun in the first inning, he threw three fastballs at 152 km, 153 km, and 155 km to get a three-pitch strikeout. Although he allowed a single to Kim Min-hyuk, he induced a ground ball to first base from Rohas with a three-ball count, remaining unshaken. He faced Ahn Hyun-min and allowed a timely single on the sixth pitch of a favorable one ball, two strikes count. Although he induced an off-timed hit, it fell just in front of the center fielder. He then remained composed to strike out Kang Baek-ho swinging.

In the second inning, he disposed of Jang Seong-woo, Kwon Dong-jin, and Cheon Seong-ho with three consecutive outs, creating a three-up, three-down inning. In the third inning, after one out, he allowed a hit by pitch to Hwang Jae-kyun but subsequently struck out Kim Min-hyuk again with a three-pitch strikeout. He then allowed a single to Rohas and a walk to Ahn Hyun-min, putting himself in a two-out, bases loaded situation, but he managed to get Kang Baek-ho to ground out to second base, escaping the jam.

In the fourth inning, he allowed a single to leadoff hitter Jang Seong-woo, but dealt with Kwon Dong-jin with a ground ball double play, and induced Cheon Seong-ho to ground out to second base, overcoming the crisis. In the fifth inning, he faced only nine pitches to finish three-up, three-down.

Then he came out in the sixth inning. He gave up a hit to leadoff hitter Rohas. However, after a seven-pitch battle with Ahn Hyun-min, he struck him out swinging with a slider. He then made quick work of Kang Baek-ho with a fly out to right field. However, he induced a ground ball to third base from Jang Seong-woo, but an error occurred on the throw. Both third baseman Son Ho-young, who made the throw, and first baseman Jung Hoon were left with regrets. The inning wasn't over. Ultimately, he issued a straight walk to Kwon Dong-jin, creating a two-out, bases loaded jam.

Pitching coach Joo Hyung-kwang came up to the mound. The bullpen, including Park Jin, was already ready. Coach Joo Hyung-kwang asked Lee Min-seok about his status and, after looking towards Kim Tae-hyung, descended from the mound without taking the ball. Manager Kim Tae-hyung made the decision to trust Lee Min-seok and let him handle it himself.

Lee Min-seok then rewarded Manager Kim Tae-hyung's trust. Without hesitation, he got pinch hitter Jang Jin-hyeok to ground out to second base, overcoming the two-out, bases loaded crisis. Manager Kim Tae-hyung provided Lee Min-seok with an opportunity to grow a bit more, and Lee Min-seok gained valuable experience.

Lee Min-seok is expected to receive opportunities as a starter for the time being. Foreign pitcher Charlie Barnes has received an 8-week prognosis due to an injury to the teres major muscle in his left shoulder. It's a foregone conclusion that he will be out for the first half of the season. In a situation where they are considering the option of replacing foreign players, they need someone to fill the spot before a replacement arrives, and Lee Min-seok is not missing the opportunity that has come his way.

On the 5th against SSG, he pitched as an emergency starter in a nine-game stretch, giving up six runs on seven hits (including one home run), two walks, and striking out six over five innings, resulting in a loss. However, rather than the six runs allowed that day, Manager Kim Tae-hyung gave high marks for Lee Min-seok’s exciting pitching. And by showcasing a career-best performance against KT, he gained their trust.

It is possible that based on this day, he may continue to hold a starting role even when a substitute foreign player arrives. If this kind of pitching continues, there would be no reason for Manager Kim Tae-hyung not to use him. It is a positive sign that he maintained velocities in the 140s to 150s without losing stamina in the sixth inning. Although overshadowed by the headshots, it seems that Lotte and Manager Kim Tae-hyung will not forget Lee Min-seok's pitching from that day.

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