'All-Star second baseman...'
Professional baseball player Go Seung-min of the Lotte Giants has been selected for the first time in his life to the All-Star Best 12 this year. He topped the Dream All-Star second baseman category with a total score of 37.27 points, surpassing Samsung's Ryu Ji-hyeok (34.42 points). In fan voting, Ryu Ji-hyeok received 1,365,858 votes, while Go Seung-min garnered 1,153,002 votes. Despite trailing in the fan voting, Go Seung-min made a comeback in the player voting, receiving support from 169 players and surpassing Ryu Ji-hyeok (86 votes) to be selected as an All-Star.
However, the All-Star second baseman has recently been unable to play in his actual position. Until May, he had only played as a second baseman or designated hitter. But starting June 6, Go Seung-min had to play more games as a first baseman and outfielder than as a second baseman. He started 10 games at first base and played one game in right field. During the games, he often moved to the outfield. Since June 6, he has only started as a second baseman in 2 games. In the game against KT on the 27th, he started at second base but moved to right field in the 7th inning to finish the game. In the game against KT on the 29th, he started in right field and moved to first base in the 7th inning to conclude the game. With injuries affecting both infield and outfield positions, Go Seung-min found it difficult to play as a second baseman. In the outfield, Hwang Seong-bin, Yoon Dong-hee, and Jang Du-seong were all out due to injuries. Meanwhile, first baseman Na Seung-yeop struggled and was demoted to the second team, and after getting hit in the face by a ball, he was sidelined for an extended period. Other infielders, Lee Ho-jun and Son Ho-young, also suffered finger injuries and were both out by early June.
The overall numbers in the infield have become insufficient, and there are not enough players suitable to play first base. Eventually, Go Seung-min had to step in as the first baseman during the 2023 season. Additionally, he had to transition back to playing in the outfield, a position where he had experience until 2022. Veteran Jeon Jun-woo is currently not in great condition with his pelvis, and the physical burden on Víctor Reyes is increasing, so Go Seung-min alleviated that burden.
Manager Kim Tae-hyoung remarked, 'Go Seung-min tries not to interfere with the second base as much as possible,' reflecting that while he was trying to solidify his position as the starting second baseman, the environment did not allow him to execute his plans. As a result, Go Seung-min, despite earning the title of starting player and All-Star second baseman, was busy playing makeshift roles. All these positions were previously played during full-time seasons. Therefore, he demonstrated stable defense while moving between three positions in a short period. During this time, Go Seung-min made no errors. This season, he showcased his stable and even flashy defensive skills in his original position, second base, and continued this performance in the outfield and at first base.
Although Go Seung-min recorded a batting average of .269 with 18 hits in 67 at-bats, 9 RBIs, and 12 runs scored in 18 games while shifting between several positions, it was not particularly outstanding. However, June showed a significant contribution to the team that went beyond the production shown in his hitting. With Go Seung-min successfully playing multiple positions, infielders like Han Tae-yang and Park Chan-hyung were able to seize their chances and excel. The ability of Go Seung-min as a multi-position player also led to a side effect of recognizing the growth and skill development of other players. He has become the only player consistently maintaining a position in the first team from last year's hit product, 'Yoon-Go-Na-Hwang.' While he temporarily withdrew due to an abdominal muscle injury in the beginning of the season, he has since been contributing roles in the first team.
This season, he has posted a batting record of .295 with 80 hits in 271 at-bats, 2 home runs, 29 RBIs, and 42 runs scored, with an OPS of .744. Overall, his pace has decreased compared to last year. However, considering that he is still playing with left knee pain and facing the handicap of covering multiple positions, it must be acknowledged that he has contributed significantly to the team this year. Thanks to Go Seung-min's dedication, Lotte has endured through June and managed to finish the first half of the season with a .500 winning percentage.
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