Professional baseball player Lee Han of the NC Dinos has returned after completing his defense obligations.
After graduating from Yooshin High School, Lee Han, a right-handed, left-handed infielder selected in the second round of the 2022 NC draft, played in 71 games in the Futures League during his debut year in 2022, recording a batting average of .288 (53 hits in 184 at-bats), 2 home runs, 22 RBIs, 36 runs scored, and 3 stolen bases. Having completed his military service as a communications soldier in an army division in Gangwon Province, he is diligently getting in shape at Changwon Masan Stadium.
Kwon Jeong-woong, the hitting and battery coach for Team D, said of Lee Han, "He was originally a player known for his strong hitting, but he looks even better physically after his discharge. He has prepared so well that the gap during his military service is hardly noticeable, and his basic contact skills are still good."
He added, "Rather than hastily raising him to match the season schedule, we are adjusting the schedule so he can naturally improve his condition while adapting. If he can manage the technical preparation period well, we expect he can show even better performance."
Lee Han has an unusual background as a representative for Yanggu County in the Gangwon Provincial Sports Festival. He said, "I served as a communications soldier. One of the officers in the training center learned that I was a baseball player and suggested that we participate in the Gangwon Provincial Sports Festival together the following year. Thanks to that, I could represent Yanggu County."
At that time, he stated, "I even faced active-duty military players serving in Gangwon Province, including Doosan An Jae-seok. The unit also supported us to train separately for the competition, allowing me to train more and helping me prepare significantly."
Lee Han has consistently engaged in weight training and has been preparing himself by purchasing a T-bar and T-net for batting practice with the permission of the battalion commander.
He said, "While in the military, when fellow players appeared on broadcasts, my unit colleagues would ask if I knew that player, and I thought I should become such a person as well." He also mentioned, "Before enlisting, I lacked confidence, but while serving, I gained assurance in myself and feel like I have found the path for how to move forward. I plan to prepare steadily and surely."
His current physical condition is good. Lee Han remarked, "I am currently training by commuting between Goseong and the D team. The coach and I have discussed that due to the gap during my service, my game senses tend to decline on the ground, so we should prepare gradually for injury prevention."
Regarding this season's goals, he stated, "First, I want to leverage my strength in hitting in the Futures League and show much better performance than before my military enlistment. If I consistently perform well in my position, I believe opportunities will naturally arise in the first team. I will prepare carefully and steadily without being anxious, so I can show good results."