‘Biggest fish’ Jang Hyun-seok (Yongma High School) chose to go to the big league, but interest in the rookie draft is still strong. This is because there are many ‘big fish’ rookies who can change the fate of each team, such as Kim Seo-hyun (Hanwha), who took the place of Shim Jun-seok (Pittsburgh Pirates), who left for the big league.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) will hold the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul at 2 p.m. on the 14th. This year’s recipients are a total of 1,083 people, including 782 high school graduates, 296 college graduates (including 41 early draftees), and 5 other players, including overseas amateurs and pros.
Jang Hyun-seok, who was likely to be selected as the first overall pick, will not appear in this draft. After announcing his entry into the Major League last month, Jang Hyun-seok signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers for $900,000.
Accordingly, the possibility that one of Hwang Jun-seo (Jangchung High School) and Kim Taek-yeon (Incheon High School) will receive the honor of being ranked first overall has increased. These two were the most outstanding pitchers in high school baseball this year.
Among these, Hwang Jun-seo is likely to be selected first. This is because the first-choice pick belongs to Hanwha, which ranked last year.
Hanwha selected Dong-ju Moon (1st overall pick) and Jun-young Park (1st overall pick in the 2nd round) in the 2022 rookie draft, and Seo-hyun Kim was selected 1st overall in last year’s rookie draft, which was changed to a full draft. All three were considered ‘young guns’ who could take responsibility for the next 10 years, and all three were right-handers.
If left-hander Hwang Jun-seo, who throws fastballs in the upper 140 km/h range, is added, an ideal left-right balance can be achieved.
However, even though Kim Taek-yeon is a right-handed pitcher,메이저사이트 he is evaluated as having ‘instant power’ as a bullpen pitcher, so the possibility of Hanhwa changing the selection at the last minute cannot be ruled out.
Doosan, who holds the second-choice pick, is rather at ease. This is because you can choose the remaining one among Hwang Jun-seo and Kim Taek-yeon.
It is known that Doosan has been keeping an eye on Kim Taek-yeon, keeping in mind the possibility of Hanwha’s nomination of Hwang Jun-seo. Doosan coach Lee Seung-yeop also praised Kim Taek-yeon’s sense of stability.
Kim Taek-yeon also played an active role as the ‘national ace’ at the recently concluded U18 World Championships. Although he caused controversy over overuse by throwing 247 balls over 8 days in 5 consecutive fights, he proved his skills by unwaveringly taking responsibility for Korea’s bronze medal.
In the bronze medal match against the United States, which was the last of a five-game series, he pitched a complete pitcher, pitching 98 pitches and striking out 9 in 7 innings.
After the selection of Hanwha and Doosan, it is predicted that Jeon Mir (Gyeongbuk High School), Yook Seon-yeop (Jangchung High School), and Kim Hwigeon (Whimoon High School) are likely to be selected at the top. All three played as aces for their respective teams.
Among them, Jeon Mir, who can double as a pitcher, is rated the highest. This is why there is a possibility that Lotte will be selected in the 3rd place.
Meanwhile, Kiwoom’s actions, which are at the bottom this season, are also noteworthy. Kiwoom can exercise as many as six picks up to the third round in this rookie draft.
Kiwoom, which finished second in the Korean Series last year, acquired the 8th (LG), 16th (KIA), and 24th (Samsung) picks through a trade in addition to the 9th, 19th, and 29th picks they originally had.
LG’s naming rights came from Choi Won-tae, Samsung’s naming rights came from trading Kim Tae-hoon during the season, and KIA’s naming rights came from trading Joo Hyo-sang during the off-season.
As Lee Jeong-hoo announced that he will advance overseas at the end of this season, and Ahn Woo-jin is likely to be absent until next year as he will undergo elbow ligament fusion surgery, Kiwoom’s rookie draft has the potential to recruit a large number of players who will become cornerstones of the team in the future. It will be an opportunity.