Professional baseball player Hong Min-ki (24) of the Lotte Giants pitched without allowing a run for the second consecutive day. He is expected to play a key role in the bullpen during the second half of the season.
Hong Min-ki took the mound in the 7th inning during the game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Stadium on the 19th. With Lotte leading 3-1, he came in as a relief pitcher after Jeong Cheol-won, who had pitched in the 6th inning, gave up a hit to the leadoff batter in the 7th.
Hong Min-ki struck out Park Hae-min on three pitches. The 150 km fastball was placed high on the inner corner of the ABS zone. Park Hae-min was unable to make a move and was struck out.
He induced Shin Min-jae into a ground ball to the shortstop, leading to the first runner being thrown out at second base. With two outs and a runner on first, he seemed to catch the first base runner with a quick pickoff throw, but the first baseman's throw to second base went into the outfield, resulting in two outs and a runner on second. He struck out Moon Sung-ju with a sharp slider, finishing the inning without allowing a run.
In the top of the 8th inning, Lotte scored 3 runs on 4 walks and 1 hit, extending their lead to 6-1. Hong Min-ki got the first batter of the 8th, Kim Hyun-soo, out on a ground ball to second base. After one out, he gave up a hit to Moon Bo-gyeong. He was replaced by right-handed pitcher Kim Kang-hyun with one out and a runner on first.
In 1⅓ innings, he allowed 1 hit and struck out 2 batters without allowing a run, effectively neutralizing 5 left-handed batters. Lotte won 6-1, and Hong Min-ki recorded his second hold of the season.
Hong Min-ki also pitched in the game against LG the previous day (18th), recording 1 inning without allowing a run. He faced three left-handed batters, Park Hae-min, Shin Min-jae, and Cheon Seong-ho, striking out 2 and ending the inning without allowing a runner.
Manager Kim Tae-hyoung praised him before the game on the 19th, saying, "Hong Min-ki is now pitching with so much confidence on the mound."
Hong Min-ki stated after the game, "It was a critical situation to come in with a runner responsible for the one-run deficit. If I couldn't hold it, the momentum could shift, so I was determined to stop it," and added, "I will strive to continue the team spirit we had today."
Hong Min-ki was drafted by Lotte in the second round of the rookie draft in 2020 (overall 4th pick) but played only 1 game (3 innings and 6 runs allowed) in the first year due to a shoulder injury.
In 2021, he rehabilitated from an elbow injury and made his first appearance in the Futures League in June. He debuted in the first team at the end of September, pitching only 1 game in the first team, allowing 1 run in ⅓ inning. After the season, he served in the military and returned in 2023. He pitched in 3 games last year, allowing 7 runs (5 earned) in 3⅔ innings, with an earned run average of 12.27. His career ERA until last year stood at 13.50.
He was a promising player who threw a fastball of 150 km since his signing, but frequent injuries hampered him. After completing his military service, he gradually adapted to professional baseball and has finally begun to reveal his potential this year. After being called up to the first team in mid-May, Hong Min-ki has pitched in 12 games, recording 2 holds and an earned run average of 1.21. His WHIP (walks plus hits per inning) is 0.81, and his batting average against is just .171.
As a left-handed pitcher, he throws a fastball that reaches up to 155 km, along with a slider and a curve. With fastballs over 150 km and accurate control, he has an untouchable pitching ability. He has pitched 22⅓ innings, striking out 30 batters and allowing 5 walks.
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