'Lotte Yoon Dong-hee's Classmate' Seo-joon Oh, Playing in U.S. College League, Praised by Local Reporters: "Could Achieve Highest Korean Ranking in MLB Draft"

*This content was translated by AI.

Seo-joon Oh (23, High Point University), a catcher who shared a meal with Lotte Giants' 'starting outfielder' Yoon Dong-hee (23) during high school, is making waves on the U.S. college stage, drawing attention from Major League Baseball (MLB) scouts.

Jeff Duda, a U.S. reporter well-versed in international baseball news, wrote on his social media on the 16th (Korean time): "There is a player named Seo-joon Oh. He is a Korean-born player who could become one of the highest-drafted picks in history."

According to the official website of the High Point University baseball team, located in California, Seo-joon, who plays the catcher position, started in all 36 games this season, posting a batting average of 0.375 (48 hits in 128 at-bats), 11 home runs, 39 RBIs, and an OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage) of 1.182. He drew 24 walks while striking out 27 times and recorded 2 stolen bases. He also hit 10 doubles. In other words, 21 of his 48 hits were extra-base hits.

A graduate of Yatabo High School, Seo-joon was Yoon Dong-hee's classmate and went to the United States after going undrafted in the 2022 KBO Rookie Draft. He began playing in the U.S. college baseball league in the 2024 season, competing for New Mexico Military. In his first season, he played 53 games with a batting average of 0.360. In the 2025 season, he appeared in 46 games, recording a batting average of 0.379, 7 home runs, and an OPS of 1.147, earning selection to the 'All-Conference Second Team' and participating in the 'TXNMJC All-Star Game', already earning recognition as a top-tier player in the league. He later transferred to High Point University.

One reason Seo-joon's value is rated even higher is that he plays the 'catcher' position, which carries significant defensive responsibility. As of the 2025 season, he posted a high fielding percentage of 0.976, recorded 22 putouts, and demonstrated his throwing ability by throwing out 15 base runners attempting to steal. He also excelled in clutch situations, recording 47 RBIs in 53 games during his freshman year (2024).

Locally in the U.S., it is widely believed that Seo-joon has a high chance of being selected in the MLB Rookie Draft to be held in Philadelphia, USA, this July. Although he is currently in his third year of a four-year program, MLB draft rules state that a player becomes eligible for the draft upon completing their junior year or turning 21. While his high school classmate Yoon Dong-hee is active in the KBO League, Seo-joon is steadily preparing to become a 'Korean Big Leaguer'. He was also named to the weekly best team selected by 'Baseball America', announced on the 1st.

As Yoon Dong-hee's classmate heats up the Sajik Stadium, the baseball world's attention is focused on whether Seo-joon will become a landmark case by entering the Big Leagues through the MLB Draft.

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*This content was translated by AI.