In a significant move shaking up the KBO League rosters, the Lotte Giants and KT Wiz executed a one-for-one player trade on June 2, 2025, that sees pitcher Park Se-jin heading to Lotte while outfielder Lee Jung-hoon moves to KT. This swap not only addresses strategic team needs but also reunites two brothers on the same squad, adding a compelling personal storyline to the transaction.
The trade was announced officially by both teams, with Lotte acquiring the left-handed pitcher Park Se-jin from KT, aiming to bolster their bullpen, particularly on the left side. Meanwhile, KT welcomed Lee Jung-hoon, a right-handed thrower and left-handed batter, who is expected to enhance their offensive lineup with his precise hitting skills.
Park Se-jin, 28, is no stranger to professional baseball fans, especially those following the Giants. He is the younger brother of Lotte’s ace pitcher, Park Se-woong, who was drafted by KT in 2014 and subsequently traded to Lotte in 2015. Park Se-jin himself was KT’s first-round draft pick in 2016 after graduating from Kyungbuk High School, marking him as a player with high expectations from early on.
Over his six-season career, Park Se-jin has appeared in 42 first-team games, pitching a total of 80 innings. His major league stats include 1 win, 10 losses, 1 hold, and a rather challenging earned run average (ERA) of 7.99. Despite these numbers, his potential remains recognized, especially given his 2025 season performance in the Futures League, the KBO’s second-tier competition. There, he logged 22 games with 23.2 innings pitched, earning 1 win, 1 loss, 2 saves, 4 holds, and a much-improved ERA of 3.04. This performance suggests that Park is developing into a reliable bullpen option.
Lotte’s management expressed optimism about Park Se-jin’s addition, highlighting that “he will thicken the left-handed pitching depth and contribute to the team’s future strength.” This move addresses a specific weakness in Lotte’s pitching staff, particularly their left-handed bullpen, which has been a point of concern.
On the other side of the trade, Lee Jung-hoon, 31, brings a different kind of value to KT. A graduate of Hwimun High School and Kyunghee University, Lee entered the professional scene in 2017 when drafted by the KIA Tigers in the 2nd round. After several seasons, he joined Lotte in 2023, where he demonstrated consistent hitting prowess. His career batting average stands at a solid .271 over 185 games, complemented by 3 home runs and 52 RBIs.
Lee’s recent seasons have been particularly noteworthy. In 2023, he posted a .296 batting average, followed by an even better .300 in 2024. Despite these impressive numbers, his playing time in Lotte’s first team was limited due to defensive position constraints—primarily being slotted as a designated hitter or left fielder, roles that restricted his regular starting opportunities. Consequently, Lee spent much of the 2025 season in the Futures League, where he excelled with a .357 batting average, a .500 on-base percentage, a .786 slugging percentage, and a remarkable OPS of 1.286, along with 3 home runs and 8 RBIs in 19 games.
KT’s general manager, Na Do-hyun, commented on the acquisition: “Lee Jung-hoon is a left-handed hitter with strong hitting skills, and we brought him in to strengthen our team’s offense.” This strategic pick reflects KT’s focus on boosting their batting lineup, particularly with a player who combines accuracy and power at the plate.
Lee’s transition to KT also marks a fresh chapter in his career, offering him potentially more consistent playing time and a chance to leverage his offensive talents in a new environment. His ability to bat both right and left-handed adds versatility to KT’s outfield and lineup configurations.
The familial angle of this trade adds an emotional layer to the transaction. Park Se-jin joining Lotte reunites him with his older brother, Park Se-woong, who has been a cornerstone of Lotte’s pitching staff since his 2015 trade from KT. The brothers had never played on the same team until now, despite both being first-round draft picks by KT two years apart. Park Se-woong, now 30, is considered one of Lotte’s native aces, and the prospect of teaming up with his younger brother is a heartwarming development for fans and the team alike.
Park Se-jin’s career trajectory has been a mix of promise and challenges. Primarily used as a relief pitcher, he has yet to fully blossom at the first-team level but has demonstrated steady improvement in the Futures League. His 2025 stats there indicate growing reliability and effectiveness, which Lotte hopes to harness as they look to solidify their pitching depth.
Conversely, Lee Jung-hoon’s career highlights his consistent hitting ability but also the frustrating limitations imposed by defensive role shortages. His move to KT could provide the opportunity to break into a more regular role, particularly as KT seeks to enhance its offensive production.
This trade reflects broader strategic trends in KBO team management, where clubs seek to balance offensive firepower with pitching depth, often making tough decisions about player roles and potential. For Lotte, the priority was to reinforce their left-handed bullpen, a critical component for late-inning matchups. For KT, the focus was on adding a precise left-handed bat to strengthen their lineup and increase run production.
Fans of both teams will be watching closely as the 2025 season progresses to see how these players adjust and contribute to their new squads. The reunion of the Park brothers at Lotte adds a narrative of family unity and shared ambition that enriches the season’s storylines.
As the trade settles in, Lotte and KT have each addressed key team needs through this player exchange. Lotte’s left-handed pitching staff gains depth and potential with Park Se-jin, while KT’s offense gains a sharp-hitting outfielder in Lee Jung-hoon. Both teams anticipate that these moves will pay dividends in the competitive battles ahead.
With the season ongoing, the full impact of this trade remains to be seen. However, the combination of strategic intent, player potential, and personal stories makes this swap a highlight of the KBO’s mid-season transactions.
