There was a reason why "Master" paid attention. It was only one game, but he clearly showed his presence with his fierce batting skills and fast feet.먹튀검증

Lotte lost 8-12 in Game 16 between the teams against the KIA Tigers of the 2024 Shinhan SOL Bank KBO League at Sajik Baseball Stadium in Busan on the 28th. Despite taking a 6-0 lead at the beginning of the game, he bowed his head due to a painful come-from-behind defeat in the midst of a bullpen turmoil. In front of a packed crowd that filled his home stadium, he lost his face by losing his last home game of the year.

However, Lee Ho-joon, a second-year infielder, was a great comfort to Lotte fans. In the top of the fourth inning when Lotte faced 0-0, Lee Ho-joon pitched in the starting second baseman Ko Seung-min's defense, scoring two hits, two RBIs and one run from three times at bat.

Lee Ho-joon had a flash in the first at bat. He came out as the leadoff man in the bottom of the fifth inning with Lotte leading 2-0, and hit a triple that completely penetrated the right-center field against KIA left-hander Kim Ki-hoon.

He hit Choi Ji-min's second 140-km fastball at perfect timing. He did not miss the ball that went through the low course in the strike zone.

He also showed impressive performance on the base running. After checking the batting performance, he reached the second base through the first base and ran to the third base without hesitation. He hit the base leisurely, and marked his first hit as a triple since his debut as a pro baseball player. Afterwards, when Jeon had a hit, he stepped on the home plate and scored a first-team matriarch.

Lee Ho-joon continued to display stellar performance. He swung his bat once again at the bottom of the sixth inning with no outs and runners on the first and second bases at the bottom of the sixth inning when the score was tying 6-6. He also hit a two-run double, making the score 8-6. 

In the advantageous count of three balls and one strike, Lee perfectly hit Jang`s 148 kilometers fastball at the fifth pitch. He connected his miscues in the middle of the strike zone with full swing, producing his first RBI since his debut as a pro bowler.

Lee Ho-joon's performance was certainly a great achievement, although Lotte's upset loss hoped for the light. With Lotte playing the final regular season game against the NC Dinos at Changwon NC Park on October 1, chances are high that it will get a chance to start.

Lee Ho-joon, born in 2004, graduated from Daegu Sangwon High School and joined Lotte this year. He is a promising player who was nominated in the third round of the rookie draft and ranked 23rd overall. As he was paid for a year in high school, his nomination and debut as a pro were all delayed compared to those of his same age. 

Lee Ho-joon posted a batting average of 0.247 (23 hits in 93 times at bat) and nine RBIs in 34 games in the Futures League in the 2024 season, which was hardly outstanding. However, Kim Tae-hyung watched Lee Ho-joon directly join the first team for training twice in July and August. It was all about pinch runner role in games, but it was a valuable experience for the rookie.

Lee Ho-joon was called even after the expanded entry was implemented in September. He entered his first at-bat against KT on the 5th and received an opportunity against NC on the 27th. On the 28th, he gained even more confidence by harvesting his first hit after his debut. 

Amid a slump in Noh Jin-hyuk, who was hired as a free agent after the end of the 2022 season, Park Seung-wook played as the starting shortstop this year. Lee Hak-joo showed good performance in the first half of the season, but he was not seen in the first team in the second half. In fact, Park Seung-wook played in the regular league.

Coach Kim Tae-hyung is paying attention to Lee Ho-joon's potential at a time when the shortstop depth in his team is thin. He says he may give Lee a chance for the 2025 season depending on his growth in the final camp in the middle of next month and the spring camp in February next year.

Coach Kim Tae-hyung said on the 27th, "Lee Ho-joon's defense is not behind Park Seung-wook. Compared to Oh Sun-jin and Noh Jin-hyuk, he has good main points," giving a generous score to Lee Ho-joon's current skills.

"Regardless of his age, the player who is ahead (of him) in defense, base running, and hitting is going to the game," he said. "Lee Ho-joon is much better than when he first joined the team this time last year."