Little Lee Dae-ho heads to Gwangju! Gyeongnam High power hitter Lee Ho-min selected third overall by KIA... "I resemble senior Lee Dae-ho the most" [2027 Rookie Draft]

*This content was translated by AI.

Gyeongnam High right-handed power hitter Lee Ho-min (18) will wear the KIA Tigers uniform as the third overall pick.

On the 21st, at the World Crystal Ball Room of Seoul Lotte Hotel where the 2027 KBO Rookie Draft took place, KIA used its first-round, third-overall selection right to draft Lee Ho-min.

Immediately after being drafted, Lee Ho-min expressed his overwhelming emotions, saying, "I've dreamed of this since childhood, and moments of hard work flash before my eyes like a strobe light." The first person he thought of was his twin brother. Lee Ho-min added, "Although he left the field before me, I want to sincerely thank my twin brother (Lee) Ho-jin, who has been cheering for me as if it were his own turn."

KIA highly valued Lee Ho-min's batting talent, considering him one of the top high school position players this year. According to records from the Korea Baseball and Softball Association (KBSA), Lee played in 78 high school games, posting a .380 batting average (263 at-bats, 100 hits), 8 home runs, 89 RBIs, 47 runs scored, 9 stolen bases, a .442 on-base percentage, a .601 slugging percentage, and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 1.043.

In his third year, he elevated his performance further. In 20 games this season, he recorded a .420 batting average (69 at-bats, 29 hits), 2 home runs, 19 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 6 stolen bases, and an OPS of 1.132, earning recognition as one of the nation's top hitters.

Scouts consistently praised his combination of elite national-level power and technical precision. Since the end of his sophomore season, he has been steadily classified as a first-round candidate, and by adding experience at third base this year, he expanded his versatility and potential utility.

Just before the draft, at the 14th Asian Youth Baseball Championship, Lee Ho-min further elevated his value. In six games of the tournament, he recorded a .429 batting average (14 at-bats, 6 hits), 1 home run, 7 RBIs, and an OPS of 1.301, contributing to Korea's first championship in eight years.

Notably, he was particularly impactful during the super round against Japan. With Korea trailing 0-2, he hit a solo home run to ignite the comeback, and in the sixth inning tied at 2-2, he delivered a go-ahead, game-winning double. Of Korea's three runs in their 3-2 victory, two were driven by his bat.

Gyeongnam High School has produced numerous right-handed power hitters, including Lee Dae-ho (44), Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles), and Han Dong-hee (27, Lotte Giants). When asked which of these he resembles most, Lee Ho-min's answer was clear. He smiled and said, "I was called 'Little Lee Dae-ho,' and I think I resemble him the most." Continuing the legacy of right-handed power hitters at Gyeongnam High, Lee Ho-min now begins a new challenge with KIA.

The 2027 KBO Rookie Draft is a full draft, with selections spanning from the first round to the eleventh round. The order of selection rights follows the reverse standings of the 2025 season: Kiwoom, Doosan, KIA, Lotte, KT, NC, Samsung, SSG, Hanwha, and LG.

According to KBO regulations, there is only one rookie draft trading opportunity in 2027. On November 25 last year, NC traded catcher Park Se-hyeok (36) to the Samsung Lions, acquiring the 27th pick of the third round. As a result, NC will select 12 players, Samsung will select 10, and the other eight teams will each select 11, totaling 110 selections.

This year's rookie draft eligible pool includes 891 high school graduates, 326 university graduates, 43 early draft applicants, and 20 other players from overseas amateur and professional backgrounds, for a total of 1,280 candidates.

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*This content was translated by AI.