Teen rookie savors 'fun' KBO debut with record-tying 3 hits | Yonhap News Agency

## Summary
OK By Yoo Jee-ho SEOUL, March 28 (Yonhap) -- Inserted into the ninth spot in the Opening Day lineup for the KT Wiz on Saturday, teen rookie Lee Kang-min didn't think he would get a chance to hit in the first inning against the LG Twins. Lee Kang-min of the KT Wiz celebrates after hitting a two-run double against the LG Twins during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on March 28, 2026. (Yonhap) "I was nervous and excited at the same time, and I was grateful for the opportunity to play in this ballpark," Lee said afterward. "I was trying to enjoy it as much as I can. I got some goose bumps standing on the ground for the first time, but once the game started, I was able to stay locked in and I didn't feel as jittery as I thought I would." He said seeing his teammates pound out hits ahead of him put his mind at ease. "I felt pretty comfortable out there," said Lee, the 16th overall pick at last year's draft. "As soon as I saw the first pitch, I just took an aggressive swing." Lee added a single in the third and another single in the seventh. "I was just hoping I would get one hit today," the freckle-faced player said. "I was lucky to get my first hit on the very first pitch in my first at-bat." Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul had been effusive in his praise of the young shortstop throughout spring training and had hinted that the teenager would have an opportunity to play regularly right out of the gate. "I appreciate the manager's support, and I've been trying hard to reward him for his faith," the player said. "I think he sees that I don't get rattled out there even though I am a rookie." In their short, 11-year history, the Wiz have produced three Rookie of the Year award winners, including outfielder Ahn Hyun-min last year. Can Lee join the ranks this year? "The rookie award seems too far away now," Lee said. "If I can take it one game at a time, then eventually, I will reach my goal." KT Wiz shortstop Lee Kang-min listens to a reporter's question during a media scrum after a Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on March 28, 2026. (Yonhap) jeeho@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #KBO #baseball Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (LEAD) BTS stages concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot BTS opens up about fears, excitement at historic 'Arirang' stage Most Viewed All Categories Lee vows to swiftly retake wartime command from U.S., speed up military reform including selective conscription Trump says 'Cuba is next' as he highlights America's 'great' military N.

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By Yoo Jee-ho
SEOUL, March 28 (Yonhap) -- Inserted into the ninth spot in the Opening Day lineup for the KT Wiz on Saturday, teen rookie Lee Kang-min didn't think he would get a chance to hit in the first inning against the LG Twins.
Then with two outs in the opening frame, the Wiz worked a walk and torched starter Yonny Chirinos for five straight hits.
The 19-year-old Lee stepped in and launched a double to center field at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, cashing in two runs for a stunning 6-0 Wiz lead before many of the 23,750 fans had even found their seats.
With that one crack of the bat, Lee got his first career hit and RBIs out of the way. He added two more hits to become only the first rookie out of high school to get three hits in a Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) debut in 30 years.
Lee Kang-min of the KT Wiz celebrates after hitting a two-run double against the LG Twins during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on March 28, 2026. (Yonhap)
"I was nervous and excited at the same time, and I was grateful for the opportunity to play in this ballpark," Lee said afterward. "I was trying to enjoy it as much as I can. I got some goose bumps standing on the ground for the first time, but once the game started, I was able to stay locked in and I didn't feel as jittery as I thought I would."
He said seeing his teammates pound out hits ahead of him put his mind at ease.
"I felt pretty comfortable out there," said Lee, the 16th overall pick at last year's draft. "As soon as I saw the first pitch, I just took an aggressive swing."
Lee added a single in the third and another single in the seventh.
"I was just hoping I would get one hit today," the freckle-faced player said. "I was lucky to get my first hit on the very first pitch in my first at-bat."
Wiz manager Lee Kang-chul had been effusive in his praise of the young shortstop throughout spring training and had hinted that the teenager would have an opportunity to play regularly right out of the gate.
"I appreciate the manager's support, and I've been trying hard to reward him for his faith," the player said. "I think he sees that I don't get rattled out there even though I am a rookie."
In their short, 11-year history, the Wiz have produced three Rookie of the Year award winners, including outfielder Ahn Hyun-min last year.
Can Lee join the ranks this year?
"The rookie award seems too far away now," Lee said. "If I can take it one game at a time, then eventually, I will reach my goal."
KT Wiz shortstop Lee Kang-min listens to a reporter's question during a media scrum after a Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on March 28, 2026. (Yonhap)
jeeho@yna.co.kr
(END)
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Teen rookie savors 'fun' KBO debut with record-tying 3 hits

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## Expert Analysis

### Merits
N/A

### Areas for Consideration
- Can Lee join the ranks this year? "The rookie award seems too far away now," Lee said. "If I can take it one game at a time, then eventually, I will reach my goal." KT Wiz shortstop Lee Kang-min listens to a reporter's question during a media scrum after a Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on March 28, 2026. (Yonhap) jeeho@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #KBO #baseball Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (LEAD) BTS stages concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot BTS opens up about fears, excitement at historic 'Arirang' stage Most Viewed All Categories Lee vows to swiftly retake wartime command from U.S., speed up military reform including selective conscription Trump says 'Cuba is next' as he highlights America's 'great' military N.
- Korea, Ukraine FMs agree to handle issue of N.

### Implications
- The 19-year-old Lee stepped in and launched a double to center field at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, cashing in two runs for a stunning 6-0 Wiz lead before many of the 23,750 fans had even found their seats.
- Can Lee join the ranks this year? "The rookie award seems too far away now," Lee said. "If I can take it one game at a time, then eventually, I will reach my goal." KT Wiz shortstop Lee Kang-min listens to a reporter's question during a media scrum after a Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game against the LG Twins at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul on March 28, 2026. (Yonhap) jeeho@yna.co.kr (END) Keywords #KBO #baseball Articles with issue keywords Most Liked 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (3rd LD) About 40,000 fans gather for BTS comeback concert in downtown Seoul (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (LEAD) BTS stages concert in Seoul's Gwanghwamun to mark long-awaited return (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot Most Saved 'BTS: The Return' captures brotherhood under 'heavy crown': director (2nd LD) Han Kang's 'We Do Not Part' wins NBCC Award for haunting portrayal of trauma (News Focus) Han Kang's NBCC win again spotlights art of translation (Movie Review) 'Salmokji: Whispering Water': mood runs deeper than plot BTS opens up about fears, excitement at historic 'Arirang' stage Most Viewed All Categories Lee vows to swiftly retake wartime command from U.S., speed up military reform including selective conscription Trump says 'Cuba is next' as he highlights America's 'great' military N.

### Expert Commentary
This article covers lee, wiz, rookie topics. Areas of concern are also raised. Readability: Flesch-Kincaid grade 0.0. Word count: 779.