“I think Jae-hyun is doing well enough right now,” KIA Tigers veteran Lee Sung-min said of his young teammate’s postseason performance.
As the KIA Tigers pursue the 2026 KBO postseason, 20-year-old outfielder Park Jae-hyun has endured a difficult start at the plate, recording just four hits across 22 at-bats for a 0.182 batting average through his first five playoff games spanning the wildcard and playoff series. Despite the prolonged slump, team captain and veteran outfielder Lee Sung-min offered public support for the rookie ahead of Game 3 of the playoffs at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field, as reported by StarNews Korea.
Defensive Contributions Eclipsed by Slumping Batting Numbers
While Park’s offensive production has dipped compared to his regular-season numbers, Lee emphasized that the rookie’s overall impact extends well beyond his batting average. “Baseball is not just about offense, right?” Lee told reporters prior to the October 29 matchup. “In terms of defense, Jae-hyun has also shown a lot of good performances. I believe that today he will definitely be able to do a fully adequate job.”
Park earned the nod as the team’s leadoff hitter for Game 3, flanked in the starting lineup by center fielder Kim Ho-ryung, third baseman Kim Do-young, first baseman Gerardo Castro, Lee himself, designated hitter Kim Sun-bin, second baseman Kim Gyu-seong, catcher Kim Tae-gun, and shortstop Ha Ju-suk. In Game 1 of the playoff series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park, Park notably preserved a defensive out in the bottom of the seventh inning by diving to catch a sinking liner off the bat of Samsung Lions catcher Kang Min-ho.
Veteran Empathy for the Pressure of October Baseball
Lee acknowledged the mental strain that accompanies a newcomer’s first appearance in postseason play. Drawing from his own years in the league, the 37-year-old veteran noted that opening the batting order places an intense spotlight on a young player when hits stop falling.
“He comes out as the leadoff hitter, and if his hitting status isn’t good in the middle of the game, he seems to feel nervous and think too much about it,” Lee said. Reflecting on his own early career, Lee added, “I went through all of that when I was young too. This is a growth process that everyone has to go through.”
Lee expressed confidence that pressure relief would soon follow if the top of the order ignited. “Today, if young players like Ho-ryung or Jae-hyun actively get on base in front and stir up the base paths, core hitters like me, Do-young, and Castro will definitely get great opportunities.”
Next Steps in the 2026 KBO Postseason
The KIA Tigers continue their 2026 KBO postseason schedule at Gwangju-KIA Champions Field as the series against the Samsung Lions progresses.
