And, I can't resist this amount! "Gwangju Ilgo's Park Chan-min signs for 1.8 billion won with the Philadelphia Phillies → More Korean players head to MLB" [Report by a prominent U.S. journalist]

*This content was translated by AI.

Park Chan-min (18), a promising right-handed pitcher from Gwangju Jeil High School, appears set to join the Major League Baseball (MLB) Philadelphia Phillies. This signing is expected to serve as a catalyst for the trend of Korean prospects heading directly to the United States, going beyond a simple team entry. Reports have confirmed a signing bonus of as much as 1.2 million dollars, equivalent to approximately 1.8 billion won in Korean currency.

Francis Romero, a reporter for the U.S. baseball specialty media 'Baseball FR', reported on the 22nd (Korean time), citing multiple sources: "Park Chan-min and the Phillies have reached an agreement on his entry. They are currently in the final stages of negotiation. The contract size is approximately 1.2 million dollars, the largest amount among pitchers signing during this international signing period. More Korean players are exploring international contracts."

Earlier that day, Joe Doyle, a reporter who primarily covers the minor leagues, also wrote on his social media: "The Phillies are acquiring Park Chan-min. The contract size is at least 1 million dollars. His fastball reaches speeds up to 94 mph (151 km/h), and he throws pitches with high spin rates. He utilizes four pitch types: fastball, slider, curveball, and changeup. He possesses refined pitching mechanics and strong strikeout ability."

According to Joe Doyle's report, the Philadelphia Phillies reportedly made a significant effort to secure Park Chan-min by deploying an additional bonus pool of 500,000 dollars, which they acquired by recently trading Griff McGarry to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

In fact, following Kim Sung-jun (19), who signed with the Texas Rangers in 2025, Park Chan-min is set to sign in 2026, securing an enormous signing bonus and creating a successful case of 'direct entry to the United States'. Analysts suggest that a more systematic minor league development system and massive capital power are influencing high school prospects' decisions. The Big Three of the 2027 MLB Draft (Eom Jun-sang from Deoksu High, Ha Hyun-seung from Busan High, and Kim Ji-woo from Seoul High) are also reportedly still considering the possibility of heading to the United States.

Scouts describe Park Chan-min, who stands at 190 cm and weighs 93 kg, as a "near-complete high school pitcher," praising his smooth pitching form and consistent control.

Meanwhile, the Philadelphia Phillies are expected to make an official announcement within a few weeks once administrative procedures are finalized.

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*This content was translated by AI.