"Deoksu High's Eom Jun-sang, finalizing ARI signing → Signing bonus at least 1.5 billion won" [Report by prominent U.S. journalist]

*This content was translated by AI.

Local reports indicate that Eom Jun-sang (18), a two-way player (pitcher and hitter) from Deoksu High School, is among the 'Big 3' candidates for the '2027 KBO League Rookie Draft' scheduled for September and is on the verge of joining the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB).

Francis Romero, a reporter for the U.S. baseball specialty media 'Beisbol FR', reported on the 9th (Korean time) via his social media, citing sources, that "the Arizona Diamondbacks are on the verge of finalizing an agreement with Korean two-way prospect Eom Jun-sang for the 2025-2026 international amateur free agency."

Eom Jun-sang is a top-tier high school baseball star known as one of the 'Big 3' competing for the overall first pick in the '2027 KBO Rookie Draft' alongside Ha Hyun-seung of Busan High School and Kim Ji-woo of Seoul High School. Last November, he received the 'Mirae Star Award' along with Ha Hyun-seung at the '2025 Futures Star Awards' hosted by StarNews.

According to local sources, Eom Jun-sang was considered the top prospect likely to be selected second overall in the upcoming KBO draft, but he is understood to have made the bold choice to challenge the major leagues instead of participating in the domestic draft.

Local media and experts are highly evaluating Eom Jun-sang's potential. Reporter Romero analyzed, "Eom Jun-sang throws a fastball reaching a top speed of 95 mph (approximately 153 km/h), while also possessing refined hitting ability and elite-level defensive skills beyond his years."

The most eye-catching aspect is the contract scale. The media projected that considering Eom Jun-sang's tools and value, his signing bonus could reach at least $1 million (approximately 1.5 billion won). This represents the highest level of treatment among recent Korean amateur players who have entered the major leagues.

Prior to this, Ha Hyun-seung of Busan High School declared his intention to stay in Korea and expressed his willingness to participate in the September KBO draft. Meanwhile, Gwangju Jeil High's right-handed pitcher Park Chan-min signed a contract to join the Philadelphia Phillies in May. Park Chan-min's signing bonus was $1.205 million (approximately 1.8 billion won).

As the contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks enters its final stages, baseball fans' expectations are mounting to see whether Eom Jun-sang, who has dominated the high school baseball stage, can grow into 'Korea's Ohtani' as a two-way player on the American stage.

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*This content was translated by AI.