[Official] 'Batting average 0.453 explosion' LG's Son Yong-jun wins KBO June Futures League Rookie of the Month! Samsung's Kim Baek-san takes pitcher category

*This content was translated by AI.

LG Twins infielder Son Yong-jun (26) and Samsung Lions pitcher Kim Baek-san (23) have been named the recipients of the final Futures League Rookie of the Month award for the first half of the 2026 season.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) officially announced on the 7th that "for the June Medihill KBO Futures League Rookie of the Month, which recognizes the best low-experience player of each month in the 2026 Medihill KBO Futures League, Samsung's Kim Baek-san was selected for the pitcher category with a win probability added (WAR) of 0.91 compared to replacement players, and LG infielder Son Yong-jun was selected for the batter category with a WAR of 0.71."

Son Yong-jun of LG posted a batting average of 0.453 (2nd overall) and 24 hits (tied for 1st overall) in the Futures League during June, showcasing outstanding hitting form. With an on-base percentage of 0.491 (3rd overall), five stolen bases (tied for 5th overall), and consistent performance in both offense and base running, Son was named the winner of the June 2026 Medihill Futures League Rookie of the Month in the batter category.

Son Yong-jun graduated from Gimhae Hwajeong Elementary School (Gimhae Little League), Nae-dong Middle School, Gimhae High School, and Dongwon University of Science and Technology before joining LG as the 28th pick in the third round of the 2024 KBO Rookie Draft. He has shown exceptional hitting ability since his debut season and currently holds a career batting average of .328 in the Futures League as of the conclusion of games on the 7th.

This year, he recorded a batting average of 0.350 (203 at-bats, 71 hits), three home runs, 27 RBIs, and 41 runs scored across 55 regular-season Futures League games, along with an on-base percentage of 0.429 and slugging percentage of 0.438, fueling hopes for a call-up to the first division in the second half of the season.

Kim Baek-san, the winner in the pitcher category, is a development player. After graduating from Namsan Elementary School, Wonju Middle School, Gangneung High School, and Busan University of Science and Technology, he joined Samsung last year and is posting strong results in his second professional season this year.

Over the course of June, Kim started all three Futures League games he appeared in, pitching 14 innings with an ERA of 0.00 (1st overall) and a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of 0.71. He allowed zero runs across his three appearances and recorded 10 strikeouts, delivering dominant pitching performances.

As a result, he earned his first opportunity to appear in the first division. On the 2nd, Kim made his first-division debut as a starting pitcher against NC Dinos, pitching 5⅔ scoreless innings to secure the win. This marks only the second time in history that a development player has won their debut game.

The winner of the June Medihill Futures League Rookie of the Month receives a commemorative trophy, along with a cash prize of 500,000 won and Medihill cosmetic products worth 500,000 won, sponsored by Medihill.

Meanwhile, the monthly Medihill Futures League Rookie of the Month award was first established in 2024 through the sponsorship of Medihill, the title sponsor of the Futures League. It was created to encourage low-experience players active in the Futures League and support the development of promising young talents.

Eligibility criteria include players in their first to third year after signing who have met the required innings or plate appearances in the Futures League. The award recognizes the top pitcher and batter based on monthly WAR statistics in the Futures League.

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*This content was translated by AI.