The August 26 scene in Gwangju involving Lotte Giants manager Kim Tae-hyung and Kim Han-gyeol has drawn renewed attention. Kim Han-gyeol entered in the bottom of the fifth inning against KIA that day and recorded ⅔ innings, one hit, one walk and hit batsman, one strikeout, and two runs allowed. After his appearance, he spoke beside manager Kim Tae-hyung about his pitching and control of his breaking ball.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung explained that he called Kim Han-gyeol over not to question him about his pitching, but to tell him that he was doing fine. He also added that he smiled because Kim Han-gyeol looked cute.

The key point of the scene was the conversation between the manager and player that followed the result of allowing two runs.

Kim Han-gyeol Moved Between Starting and Relief Roles

Kim Han-gyeol is a right-handed pitcher who joined Lotte as the 54th overall pick in the sixth round of the 2026 rookie draft. On August 12, he replaced Na Gyun-an as the starting pitcher against SSG at Munhak because of Na’s injury. He recorded 4.1 innings, two hits, five strikeouts, and four runs allowed in that game.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung was reported to have positively evaluated Kim Han-gyeol’s tendency to get ahead in the count from the first pitch, as well as his pitch quality and repertoire. Kim Han-gyeol later recorded one inning, one hit, one home run, and one run allowed against Kiwoom on August 18; one inning and two strikeouts against Kiwoom on August 20; and ⅔ innings, one walk, and no runs allowed against Doosan on August 21.

The official game article for Lotte’s August 20 game against Kiwoom also states that Lotte finished the game in the order of Na Gyun-an, Park Jeong-min, Kim Han-gyeol, and Hyeon Do-hoon. However, these records alone do not establish Kim Han-gyeol’s long-term role.

Park Jeong-min Also Part of the Second-Half Pitching Pattern

According to a report by the Kookje Shinmun, Park Jeong-min recorded 6.1 innings, two hits, four walks and hit batters, eight strikeouts, and no runs allowed in six games during the second half. Kim Han-gyeol and Park Jeong-min have both been mentioned recently in connection with Lotte’s use of young pitchers.

However, no evidence was confirmed to support interpreting the two pitchers’ use as the reason for Lotte’s turnaround in results or qualification for the postseason. What can currently be confirmed is their appearance records in individual games, manager Kim Tae-hyung’s evaluations, and the fact that both pitchers were used in actual games.

Gwangju Game Canceled Due to Rain

The regular-season game between KIA and Lotte scheduled for August 27, 2026, in Gwangju was canceled because of rain. As a result, on-site reports about Kim Han-gyeol’s appearance the previous day and manager Kim Tae-hyung’s reaction drew search interest.

Sources Reviewed

  • [Xportsnews: On-site article about Lotte’s “20-year-old rookie” Kim Han-gyeol and manager Kim Tae-hyung](https://www.xportsnews.com/article/2188843) — Checked August 28, 2026
  • [Kookje Shinmun: Article about the use of young pitchers Kim Han-gyeol and Park Jeong-min](https://www.kookje.co.kr/news2011/asp/newsbody.asp?code=0600&key=20260826.22015007300) — Checked August 28, 2026
  • [KBO: Notice of Lotte’s starting pitcher change on August 12](https://www.koreabaseball.com/MediaNews/Notice/View.aspx?bdSe=12102) — Checked August 28, 2026
  • [KBO: Lotte–Kiwoom game article from August 20](https://www.koreabaseball.com/MediaNews/News/BreakingNews/View.aspx?bdSe=62099) — Checked August 28, 2026
  • [KBO 2026 August schedule](https://www.koreabaseball.com/Schedule/Schedule.aspx?month=08&year=2026) — Checked August 28, 2026