'Hungry Spirit': Former NC Dinos Catcher Lee Kun-hee Joins Yomiuri Giants

Lee Kun-hee, who previously served as a bullpen catcher for the NC Dinos in the Korea Baseball Organization's minor league, has achieved his dream of playing professional baseball in Japan. He has signed a development contract with the prestigious Yomiuri Giants.

The Yomiuri club officially announced the signing in Tokyo, where Lee met with the press. Speaking in fluent Japanese, Lee conveyed his disbelief and excitement. "It feels like a dream to join Yomiuri," he stated. He identified his "batting and a strong arm as a catcher" as his key strengths.

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It feels like a dream to join Yomiuri. I can't believe it.

Lee's journey to Japan involved significant effort. After graduating from Kyungbuk High School and Dankook University, he played for the NC Dinos' second team in 2023. During his military service, he dedicated himself to studying Japanese and proactively reached out to Japanese baseball clubs via email. His persistence paid off when he passed a tryout, leading to his contract.

Prior to this, Lee played for the Yacult Swallows, the farm team affiliated with the Giants, during the 2026 season. He was the second Korean player to join that team, following Jang Hyun-jin. In 30 games for the Swallows last season, Lee recorded a batting average of .224 with 7 RBIs. He also has a connection with current Yomiuri first-team hitting coach Lee Seung-yeop, a senior from Kyungbuk High School.

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My batting, and a strong arm as a catcher.