“I came with a winning spirit because I know the expectations of the passionate Lotte fans.” Returning to his hometown team, Lotte’s Kim Min-sung answered the fans’ expectations.
The Lotte Giants held their second spring training camp at Itoman Baseball Stadium in Okinawa, Japan. After completing their first spring training camp in Guam, the Lotte Giants began their second camp in Okinawa on February 22nd.
Kim Min-sung, who moved to Lotte from LG ahead of this season, said the training was intense. His face was tanned and he looked like he had lost a lot of weight.
Lotte’s Kim Min-sung has come full circle and returned to his hometown team after 14 years.
Kim made his debut with Lotte in 2007. He was drafted in the second round (13th overall) of the 2007 rookie draft and began his professional career. In 2010, he moved to Nexen in a trade for Hwang Jae-gyun.
After serving as the starting center fielder for Nexen, Kim headed to LG in a sign-and-trade after the 2018 season.
In 2023, he tasted the thrill of winning a championship after 29 years with LG.
After becoming a free agent for the second time, Kim returned to his hometown team Lotte after signing another sign-and-trade deal worth up to 900 million won for 2+1 years. It’s been 14 years since he returned to the team he played with as a rookie.
Kim said that although the team has changed a lot, he still has many close teammates, including captain Jeon Jun-woo and Jung Hoon.
When asked about his role, 스포츠토토 he said, “I will help my brother Jeon Jun-woo, the captain, and take care of the juniors. I think I can definitely provide a lot of help to the juniors.”
When asked if he brought the energy of winning the LG championship last year, he laughed and said, “Yes. I came with the winning spirit. I know the expectations of the fans in Busan, so I will do my best.”
Kim Min-sung is expected to take over the second base position left by Ahn Chi-hong. He is a utility player who can play any position in the infield. He played as a backup in LG but can play as a starter in Lotte. He can end his career in style for his hometown team.
Kim Min-sung is also a one-hit wonder. He can deliver the decisive hit when his team needs it.
He can definitely bring a winning spirit to Lotte as they challenge the fall baseball season.