The perennial power hitter, who has been silent with no hits for four consecutive games, has been sent back down to the minor leagues. It's expected that a player who cannot seize their opportunity would go to the minors, but the acting head coach took the blame for his demotion upon himself. What is the story behind this?
Doosan Bears acting head coach Jo Sung-hwan registered infielders Lee Yoo-chan and Hong Geon-hee, who recovered from injuries, to the first team roster before the eighth matchup of the season against the Lotte Giants on July 7 at Jamsil Stadium in Seoul, sending the unfinished power hitter Kim Min-hyeok and rookie infielder Kim Joon-sang to the minor leagues.
'The power hitter hopeful' Kim Min-hyeok received a chance to showcase his skills when he was added to the first team roster on the first day of Jo Sung-hwan's tenure on July 3. Jo explained the reason for elevating Kim Min-hyeok at the time, saying, “I don’t think I’ve had a good look at Kim Min-hyeok for several days. To make a judgment, we still need to see him consistently in a few at-bats. He is a player with potential. I want to give him time to understand.”
However, Kim Min-hyeok was unable to break free again. After going hitless with 0-for-2, one walk, and one strikeout against the KIA Tigers on July 3, he remained silent with no hits in four at-bats against KIA on July 4. After striking out against KIA on July 5, he was replaced by pinch hitter Kim In-tae. Following a substitute appearance against Lotte on July 6, he was informed on July 7 that he was going to Icheon. Over four games, he recorded no hits in seven at-bats with two strikeouts, failing to even crack the shell he was trapped in.
Kim Min-hyeok, a right-handed power hitter hopeful, graduated from Gwangju Dongseong High School and was selected 16th in the second round of the Doosan rookie draft in 2015. However, his salary this year is 34.2 million won. Despite being evaluated as a power hitter hopeful, he has always felt the high wall of the first team, debuting in the first team stage in 2017 and recording a career batting average of .222 with 47 hits, 8 home runs, and 33 RBIs in 118 games. His career-high came in 2022 when he batted .284 with 5 home runs and 16 RBIs in 38 games.
Once again, Kim Min-hyeok failed to seize his opportunity. However, Jo Sung-hwan took the blame upon himself. Jo noted, “I called Kim Min-hyeok yesterday to discuss things and mentioned that the timing for bringing a player up was not right.” He went on to say, “I simply called up Kim Min-hyeok because Yang Seok-hwan was out, but reflecting on it, I had given him the opportunity against the best starting pitchers in the biggest baseball stadium. Of course, no starting pitcher is easy to face, but I will think more carefully about the ballpark environment and the starting matchups.”
Kim Min-hyeok also accepted the explanation of the acting head coach and went to the minor leagues. Jo Sung-hwan shared, “When Kim Min-hyeok returns to the first team next time, I wonder if it would be better to give him opportunities in a more relaxed situation. Kim Min-hyeok also said he would work hard in the minors. He showed a mature response.”
However, it wasn't just self-blame directed at the player. Demonstrating his charismatic leadership, Jo Sung-hwan left a message for Kim Min-hyeok, stating, “Opportunities are not given by me, but proven by you.” There is already a growing anticipation for Kim Min-hyeok's next call-up to the first team and his performance.
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