'3rd-ranked KIA also on high alert': As ARI's Eom Jun-sang draws interest from at least two MLB teams, will only Ha Hyun-seung remain as others depart?

*This content was translated by AI.

Alarm bells are ringing in Korea's KBO League. Players previously classified as top candidates for the first overall pick in this year's KBO rookie draft are now drawing strong interest from Major League Baseball (MLB).

On the 8th, the high school all-star team defeated the college all-star team 6-4 at the 2026 4th Hanwha Eagles Cup High School-College All-Star Game held at Daejeon Hanwha Life Volleyball Park.

Most players could not deliver their best performance because they had exerted themselves in weekend league games just one or two days prior to the tournament. Some players, including Daejeon High left-hander Han Gyu-min (17) and Masan High Lee Yun-seong (18), were unable to participate due to minor injuries. To provide playing opportunities for a wide range of players, dual-sport athletes such as Ha Hyun-seung (18) of Busan High, Eom Jun-sang (18) of Deoksu High, Kim Ji-woo (18) of Seoul High, and Lee Hyun-min (18) of Daegu High were asked to compete in either pitching or batting, but not both.

According to scouts who watched the game on site, even under such adverse conditions, high school players were clearly superior. In particular, the performances of the so-called "Big Three" — Ha Hyun-seung, Eom Jun-sang, and Kim Ji-woo — stood out. On this day, Ha Hyun-seung, starting pitcher for the high school all-star team, pitched two innings (26 pitches), allowing one walk and recording three strikeouts without surrendering a run, achieving a no-hit performance. His fastball clocked at a top speed of 150.7 km/h and his sharp slider left college batters helpless.

Eom Jun-sang played full time as the third batter and shortstop, recording four hits in four at-bats, two RBIs, and one stolen base, showcasing his best performance. In particular, his concise fielding reminded observers of Park Jin-man, a legendary KBO shortstop and now manager of the Samsung Lions, raising his stock. He was evaluated as the perfect embodiment of the Korean slang "Yajaljal" (a player who is good at both hitting and fielding).

A KBO team scout, A, said, "Ha Hyun-seung reached his peak with this game. His fastball reached speeds up to 151 km/h, delivering the best numerical results. He showed why he is a top overall pick candidate." He added, "Eom Jun-sang also appears to have improved his defense by one level compared to last year. The atmosphere among on-site scouts was that his movement and handling on the field have become better. It's impossible not to call him 'Yajaljal'."

Meanwhile, Kim Ji-woo was evaluated as having demonstrated why he is expected as the most powerful hitter among the Big Three. He moved around defensive positions including first base, third base, and right field, displaying a strong arm. In the home run derby, he defeated his seniors with his exceptional bat speed to claim the championship.

Another KBO scout, B, said, "Ha Hyun-seung, Eom Jun-sang, and Kim Ji-woo, who are drawing attention, delivered good performances. Even Kim Ji-woo, who did not show much in the statistics, displayed his potential in the home run race and at the plate."

However, their exceptional potential was not entirely welcome for KBO teams. As befits the greatest festival of Korean amateur baseball, scouts from Korea, the United States, and Japan all gathered at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark on this day. Scouts from all 10 KBO teams, 12 MLB teams, and two NPB teams attended. Recently, Ha Hyun-seung turned down a massive offer of around $2.3 million (approximately 3.4 billion won) from the New York Yankees and remained, taking a breather. It is reported that Eom Jun-sang and Kim Ji-woo are also attracting interest.

Eom Jun-sang is receiving a strong offer from the Arizona Diamondbacks of the National League West. According to Francis Romero, a reporter affiliated with the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA), early on this morning, Eom Jun-sang is understood to be on the verge of finalizing an agreement for the 2025-2026 international amateur free agent market with Arizona. The signing bonus is expected to be at least $1 million (approximately 1.5 billion won) or more.

This is not the end. According to StarNews' investigation, Kim Ji-woo is also drawing strong interest from at least two MLB teams. Consequently, the Doosan Bears and KIA Tigers, who held the 2nd and 3rd overall picks in the 2027 KBO rookie draft and had taken a breather due to Ha Hyun-seung's decision to stay, are now on high alert.

In particular, Eom Jun-sang, who has received a concrete offer, is expected to make a decision before the Cheongryonggi Cup. Prior to the all-star game, Eom Jun-sang met with StarNews and stated, "I have not made a decision yet. This is an important choice, so I am consulting with my parents and Coach Jung Yun-jin. The team (Arizona) said that for infield positions, I should do whatever I want to do, and for pitching, I can do it if I want to."

He continued, "However, in the U.S., one cannot immediately join the first division; it takes time to get there, so I am concerned. Opportunities may not come as frequently as in the KBO, so I intend to choose carefully. I will try to think positively about other aspects. I will make a decision soon and inform you."

▼List of 14 foreign teams that attended the high school-college all-star game

12 MLB teams - Los Angeles Dodgers, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates

2 NPB teams - Rakuten Golden Eagles, SoftBank Hawks

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*This content was translated by AI.