Hanwha Eagles rookie Lee Min-jae (21) hit his debut first grand slam and consecutive home runs in the Futures League.
On the 27th, Lee Min-jae started the game as the left fielder batting second against Doosan Bears at Icheon Doosan Bears Park in the 2025 Futures League. He contributed significantly with 2 hits in 5 at-bats, including 2 home runs and 5 RBIs, leading the team to a 7-1 victory.
In the first inning with no outs and a runner on first, Lee Min-jae struck out swinging. Hanwha took the lead 2-0 after two outs when Heo In-seo hit a two-run home run to left field.
In the second inning after two outs, Lee Sang-hyuk reached base with a double to right, and Bae Seung-su and Lee Won-seok walked consecutively to load the bases with two outs.
Lee Min-jae faced Doosan starter Lee Joo-yeob and boldly hit the fourth pitch for a grand slam over the right fence. The distance was 115 meters. It was his debut first grand slam.
In the fifth inning, leading 6-0 with one out, Lee Min-jae hit a solo home run over the right fence on the third pitch from Doosan pitcher Lee Kyo-hun with two strikes (the distance was 120 meters). It was a consecutive home run.
In the seventh inning with no outs and a runner on first, Lee Min-jae was out on a fly ball to left field, and in the ninth inning with one out and a runner on first, he struck out swinging.
Lee Min-jae graduated from Bibong High School but went undrafted at graduation. He advanced to Dongwon Science and Technology University. During his college years, he set a remarkable record by hitting a home run as the leadoff batter in the first inning for four consecutive games. He was selected by Hanwha in the last 11th round at a total of 102nd pick in the 2025 rookie draft. Lee Min-jae also participated in the spring camp in Australia last February. He participated as a developmental player, receiving attention from the coaching staff.
After playing in the Futures League, he officially transitioned to a player on May 23 and was registered on the first team roster. On May 24, he made his debut at bat as a pinch hitter against Lotte but was out on a double play with one out and a runner on first. He recorded no hits in 4 at-bats over 3 games and was sent back down to the second team on May 31.
In the Futures League, Lee Min-jae has played 50 games, achieving a batting average of .333 (47 hits in 155 at-bats), 5 home runs, 24 RBIs, 21 runs, 3 stolen bases, 13 walks, and 29 strikeouts, with an on-base percentage of .361, slugging percentage of .490, and OPS of .851.
Meanwhile, Hanwha saw Lee Min-jae's outstanding performance in the lineup, while pitcher Yang Seon-ryul delivered a great performance, throwing 4 innings with 2 hits allowed, 1 strikeout, and no earned runs. Lee Tae-yang came in as the second pitcher and recorded a scoreless inning with 1 strikeout for a hold.
Following this, rookie Jeong Woo-joo pitched 1⅓ innings with 3 strikeouts and no earned runs, and Lee Min-woo pitched ⅔ of an inning with no earned runs. Yoon San-heum pitched 1 inning allowing 3 hits, 2 strikeouts, and 1 earned run, while Won Jong-hyuk closed the game with 1 inning and 1 strikeout with no earned runs. Hanwha is leading the Futures League Northern League with a record of 33 wins, 22 losses, and 1 tie, sitting 2.5 games ahead of second-place LG.
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