“It’s my first time in Incheon, and my support was so touching.”
Ahead of this season, SSG Landers made efforts to strengthen their position as catchers. They brought in Park Dae-on and Shin Bum-soo through the second round of the draft held in November last year. Lee Ji-young, who used to play for the Kiwoom Heroes, was brought in through sign-and-trade. He also signed an extension contract with Kim Min-sik, who entered the free agent market. He even had Cho Hyung-woo, an existing resource. He had a lot of catcher resources to be used in the first team.
It was not easy to get a chance due to ample catcher resources. Shin, who moved to the SSG from his hometown team KIA Tigers, did not hear about the call-up of the first team until mid-season. However, he recorded 38 hits, one homer, 17 RBIs, 13 runs batted in and 0.365 OPS of 0.999 in 51 games in the Futures League, and will be able to play in the first team game in the final days of the season while wearing the SSG uniform.
Shin Bum-soo, who met reporters on the 20th, said, “I was selected for the second draft and joined in January, and (Lee) Ji-young and (Kim) Min-sik signed contracts, so I entered the spring camp thinking it would not be easy. I thought that if I work hard on what I do, the opportunity will definitely come. I think I practiced with that mindset since February.”
Shin was born in Gwangju and spent his school years there. After graduating from Gwangju Dongseong High School, he joined Kia as the 78th overall pick in the eighth round of the 2016 KBO Rookie Draft. He joined Kia and lived only in Gwangju until the 2023 season, but moved to SSG through the second draft and became the first to live in a new region.
He had to adapt to a new region and new team. However, he quickly adapted to the situation with the help of SSG team members. “I’m also a bit shy, but all SSG players were nice and good, so I adapted quickly,” Shin said. “I think I was able to adapt quickly to the second division and play baseball,” adding, “Min-sik, who was with me at the KIA, made me feel relaxed. We talked a lot and lived together. It was my first time to come up and live together, but I think I did a good job of adapting.”
Shin was listed in the first team roster for the first time this season on April 25. However, it was not easy in the beginning. Shin failed to have a hit in three consecutive games. However, he had one hit against the NC Dinos on September 1, and had one hit against the Lotte Giants on September 11. He had three hits, one RBI and two runs against the Samsung Lions on September 15, and also had one hit and one RBI against the KIA Tigers on September 17. He failed to produce a hit in the second game since then.
Shin Bum-soo said, “I should have done the same mindset (at the beginning after the call-up), but I felt a little urgent without realizing it. So I kept watching the video. Coach Oh Jun-hyuk also helped me a lot since he was in the second division. That’s why I feel comfortable, so I think I got a good result. I’m thankful that I was able to come up to the first team. There are a lot of people I’m thankful for, but I’m grateful.” 메이저놀이터
Shin had an RBI single in the match against KIA, which was the final hit of the game. On the same day, Samsung lost and confirmed KIA’s regular season win, but SSG also saved its hopes of advancing to the semi-finals. “I think I wanted to win more without knowing something. I wanted to do well. I think I was kicked out when I met him in Gwangju, but I think I had fun this time,” Shin said. “After the game, I got a call from (Park) Chan-ho and (Choi) Won-jun. (Han) Seung-taek also contacted me. I think that day was the most fun.”
Shin Bum-soo is using the cheering song he used at KIA. As it was his first cheering song since joining the professional league, he was attached to it and is using it as he requested. “I was a little upset. It was my first time to come to Incheon, and I was so moved to see my cheering song from a new team,” he said. “I was so grateful to see my name called.”
SSG is pressing the fifth-ranked KT Wiz by a 0.5-game gap by winning a showdown with the KT Wiz at KT Wiz Park in Suwon on Sunday. He has a chance to advance to the fifth round. “There are only a few games left, but I hope I can be of great help to the team,” Shin said. “I think I can make it to the fifth round. I think I will be of great help if I do what I have to do,” he said. “I concentrate a lot even at night. I think I am thinking a lot about what I will do if I play in matches.”