Lee Ho-min Says, “I Want to Become a Signature Hitter for the KBO Like Lee Dae-ho and Roh Si-hwan” [2026 Elite High School Baseball Tournament]

\r\n
[The Financial News] Before the Korean high school baseball season officially begins, the bats of Gyeongnam High School cleanup hitter Lee Ho-min are scorching at the nation’s largest showcase event, the 2026 Elite High School Baseball Tournament. In the team’s final preliminary game against Whimoon High School, he fully displayed his power-hitting instincts by recording two doubles, including a shot that produced the team’s first run of the game.
In the Group A second preliminary game against Whimoon High School, held at 10 a.m. on the 3rd at Auxiliary Field B of Gijang-Hyundai Motor Dream Ballpark, Lee Ho-min went 2-for-4 with two doubles and one RBI, helping his team finish the game in a draw. With one win and one draw, Gyeongnam High School secured first place in the group and booked a spot in the semifinals.
Lee showed outstanding feel at the plate that day. In the bottom of the fourth inning, he drove a towering double over the center fielder’s head that bounced off the warning track. Then, in the bottom of the sixth with his team trailing 0–1 and a runner on first, he ripped a line drive down the third-base line for a clutch RBI double.
His defense at third base has also taken a step forward compared with last year. In the top of the fifth, he handled a tough short-hop grounder cleanly and calmly fired to first for the out, and in the top of the seventh he smoothly dealt with a pop fly and a slow roller in succession.
Speaking right after the game, Lee Ho-min said, “We’ve faced Whimoon High School several times since last year, and this year in particular we heard they were very strong, so we practiced with extra focus before the game. We also studied the pitchers in advance and stepped into the box with a plan, and the results were good. I’m happy the team made it to the semifinals as well.”
\r\n\r\n
Despite being only a second-year student last season, he started as a regular and put up strong offensive numbers in national tournaments. He finished the season with a batting average of .409 and four home runs. As a nationally recognized hitter, he is already being mentioned as a candidate for the first round of the draft.
Yet Lee remains humble. “I still have a lot to learn about hitting, and I think there are many areas where I’m lacking,” he said. “I’m working on building more strength so I can hit the ball farther in terms of power. At the same time, I want to improve my contact skills so I can help the team more.”
Asked about his rivalry with Kim Ji-woo, a highly touted first-round prospect from a powerhouse Seoul school who plays the same position, he expressed confidence while acknowledging their different strengths. “I think Kim Ji-woo has his own unique qualities as a player, and I do as well,” Lee said. “He shows a lot of strength in the power department, while I’m more confident in my contact ability.”
Lee also revealed that he recently met his “school senior” Roh Si-hwan, who has drawn attention for signing a massive 11-year, 30.7 billion won contract with the Hanwha Eagles ahead of the tournament, and proudly shared that he received a glove as a gift. “About a week before the tournament, I met Roh Si-hwan and he gave me a glove,” Lee said. “I took it as a message to perform even better. I want to become a hitter who represents the KBO, like Roh Si-hwan and Lee Dae-ho.”
As for his goals this year, he said he wants to carry over the winning momentum from last season. “In particular, I want us to win our first title at the season’s first national tournament, the Shinsegae E-Mart National High School Baseball Tournament, and achieve a true grand slam,” he said. “Personally, my goal is to be selected in the first round of the draft. I’ll work that hard to make it happen.”
lich0929@fnnews.com Byun Ok-hwan Reporter