'Direct to U.S. → MLB Debuting Pitcher' Zero for 20 Years... BK's Sharp Remark: "Do the juniors have confidence? Seniors must build a solid foundation"

*This content was translated by AI.

It was 20 years ago. Ryu Je-guk (43) announced his call-up to the big leagues after five years in the minor leagues, which was the last good news for a pitcher who went directly to the U.S. through an amateur contract. Since then, countless promising pitchers have dreamed of reaching Major League Baseball (MLB) and knocked on the door to the U.S., but no good news has been heard yet.

Pitchers who left successful careers, such as Ryu Hyun-jin (Hanwha Eagles), Kim Kwang-hyun (SSG Landers), and Oh Seung-hwan (retired), all dominated the KBO League before heading to the U.S.

Direct-to-U.S. pitchers include Park Chan-ho (53), Kim Byung-hyun (47), Seo Jae-eung, Kim Sun-woo, and Baek Cha-seung, but only Park Chan-ho and Kim Byung-hyun achieved true success in the big leagues.

In response, Sports TV commentator Kim Byung-hyun spoke up. Recently gaining attention for his unique, candid speaking style after launching a YouTube channel, the commentator attended the 'MLB Breakfast Club' event held at a restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 1st, and held a question-and-answer session with reporters.

Kim Byung-hyun was an exceptional talent from his first year at Gwangju Jeil High School, leading his team to a championship. Instead of turning pro, he chose to attend university. In 1998, as a sophomore at Sungkyunkwan University, he was selected for the national team at the Bangkok Asian Games, won a gold medal, and secured exemption from military service early on. He then headed to the U.S. with the Arizona Diamondbacks on a then-unprecedented signing bonus of $2.25 million (approximately 3.393 billion won). He boarded the plane to the U.S. with high expectations, on par with a first-round rookie signing bonus.

His talent was so exceptional that he spent only a very short time in the minor leagues. He became a reliever for Arizona the following year, emerged as a closer starting in 2000, and played a key role in the fall playoffs in 2001, earning a World Series ring. In 2002, he recorded 36 saves. After moving to the Boston Red Sox, he added another championship ring. Over eight seasons, he appeared in 394 games, alternating between starting and relief roles, posting a record of 54 wins, 60 losses, 86 saves, and an ERA of 4.42, leaving behind the most successful career after Park Chan-ho and Ryu Hyun-jin. His impact was sensational, never falling short of anyone else's.

That is why the gaze toward juniors who go directly to the U.S. without going through the pros must be different. Especially recently, pitchers who have conquered the high school level have been steadily heading to the U.S., but no significant good news has been heard, deepening the sense of regret.

Kim Byung-hyun said, "I recently watched Ha Hyun-seung (Busan High), Eom Jun-sang (Deoksu High), and Park Chan-min (Gwangju Il High) at the E-Mart Cup." He added, "I definitely felt that their physical condition has improved so much that they wouldn't be at a disadvantage even in the MLB, but at the same time, I felt that the foundation of baseball has become so stagnant that senior players should strive even harder. I wondered if we could even achieve results in world tournaments."

He continued, "I went to the MLB as a sophomore in college, but I went with confidence. I wondered if recent juniors went with such confidence." He also said, "There will definitely be a number one here. In high school, batting averages of .400 and ERAs in the single digits appear, but I wondered if those results alone would be enough to reach the majors."

Many players are choosing to go to the U.S. and receiving many love calls, but it can be understood as meaning that going directly to the U.S. is not good if there is no confidence that their current skills will be sufficient.

Kim Byung-hyun said, "While commentating, I often broadcast Dodgers games, and when I cover games from San Francisco and Chicago, I often feel envious of Japanese players." He emphasized, "Before debating whether high school players should go directly, I hope that a solid foundation is well established to produce good players who can compete on the world stage, like Park Chan-ho, Coach Sun Dong-yeol, and Coach Choi Dong-won from middle and high school."

He also offered practical advice. "I think which team you join is important," Kim Byung-hyun said, adding once again, "However, before that, seniors should prepare well to build such a foundation."

There is no right answer. Pitchers who went to the U.S. in recent years may soon be seen performing in the big leagues.

However, considering that there are more success stories of players who went through the KBO League than those who chose direct entry, and that An Woo-jin (Kiwoom Heroes) is already being pursued by MLB scouts and is gathering expectations as a de facto pre-big leaguer, it can be inferred that even growing steadily in a familiar environment and receiving opportunities can be enough to fulfill the dream of becoming a big leaguer.

This was the senior's advice, suggesting that players aiming for overseas advancement need to think a bit more coldly at this critical juncture.

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*This content was translated by AI.