“I used to think taking a break during the All-Star break was natural…”
Jeon Min-jae, the 'trade windfall' infielder of the Lotte Giants in the Korea Professional Baseball League, embarked on his first All-Star Game adventure. After being traded to Lotte in a 2-3 deal with Doosan last November, Jeon secured his position as the primary shortstop for Lotte, becoming a driving force behind the team's surge to third place in the standings. Although Jeon's performance declined towards the end of the first half, he recorded a batting average of .304 over 73 games (250 at-bats, 76 hits), with 3 home runs, 25 RBIs, and 32 runs scored, achieving an OPS of .731. He even competed for the batting title in the early to mid-season.
Based on this performance, Jeon Min-jae was selected to compete in his debut All-Star Game. With 1,579,413 votes from fans and 178 from players, he received overwhelming support in both the fan and player votes for the shortstop institutional sector, earning a spot among the Dream All-Star Best 12.
At a fan signing event held at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon on the 12th, Jeon Min-jae exceeded the designated time and greeted fans with autographs. He explained, “Now, it feels real that I'm going to the All-Star Game. I think it's great to be among so many players, and I believe I can enjoy it well.”
At the time of the trade, it was a moment he could hardly have anticipated himself. He smiled and said, “I always thought I would take a break during the All-Star break, but now that I'm actually participating, I can't believe it and it’s an honor.”
Jeon's performance in the first half earned recognition from fans and the team. Reflecting on the first half, he emphasized, “I really just ran straight ahead. I want to tell myself I've worked hard. I hope to rest well in the first half and continue to run straight ahead in the second half.”
However, just before the All-Star break, in July, Jeon struggled with a batting average of .148 (27 at-bats, 4 hits) and 2 RBIs. He acknowledged the physical difficulties he faced. “I thought I was fine physically, but it turned out not to be the case. While playing, I felt my reactions slow down. I realized, 'This is what it means to be losing stamina.' So, I think I need to rest well and prepare so I don't drop off in the second half,” he stated emphatically.
He added, “I believe I have built the trust of the coach, but I need to make sure that trust doesn't get broken going forward.”
Additionally, towards the end of the first half, young infielders like Lee Ho-jun and Han Tae-yang emerged, creating a sense of urgency for Jeon. “Younger players have performed well, which has motivated me. Thinking that I need to work harder has become an opportunity for me to develop further,” he noted.
Finishing the first half in third place, Lotte needs Jeon Min-jae's continued performance. He said, “Just like in the first half, I will keep running forward in the second half as well. I hope to complete the season without injury and contribute to playing in the fall.”
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